On September 10th, Coco Gauff won the 2023 US Open. She competed against 6 players before competing with Aryna Sabalenka in the final and winning the Open. Not only is this significant because of her young age, but also because she is the first Black American woman to win this title since 2000 and the fourth Black American woman in history to win this title. Now, young black girls are able to identify with Ms.Gauff and or find inspiration in her hard work and success, showing them that if they put their mind to something, and work hard to achieve it, their goals will be reached.
When Coco Gauff won the US Open, she stated “When I fell on the floor, it was just, I don’t know. It’s like, ‘Oh, it’s over. This whole struggle is over”. During Ms.Gauffs final some would say that she was challenged by her opponent Ms. Sabalenka, as she was constantly running from both sides of the court in many cases to get the ball over the net and keep the game going.
“I just pray that I have the strength to give it my all, and whatever happens happens,” – Coco Gauff
“I just knew if I didn’t give it my all, I had no shot at winning.” – Coco Gauff
With Ms. Gauff being the 3rd American teenage girl to win this title, she has not only been rewarded with the trophy and prize money that is involved with the tournament, but has also received sponsorships from Bose, known for their headphones and speakers.
To get to this point Coco Gauff had had to dedicate time, work and energy into her practices and lifestyle. She started playing tennis at the age of 2 and by the age of 7 was already training 2 hours a day multiple days a week with a tennis professional by her side. With consistent practices and training she was able to, at 10 years old, attend a French academy that specialized in her sport and was run by Patrick Mouratoglou; Serena and Venus Williams old coach. She quickly began to go up in the rankings and at the age of 13 she won the title of being the youngest US Open junior girls finalist in the world; making history.
It is evident that after winning this title she kept developing as an athlete, and ultimately reached any tennis player’s dream; which is to win the US Open. Ms. Gauff showed skill and determination throughout her game, and continues tol inspire young girls, professional tennis players, and even people that are not involved in her sport. She is the living example of the quote “Just don’t give up trying what you really want to do” (Ella Fitzgerald).
As a former tennis player I have found her journey and success to be a huge inspiration. She has shown me and other tennis players how hard work does pay off. She has demonstrated how if you don’t try to do your best every time and push yourself to face uncomfortable or intimidating situations the possibility of growing and exciting doesn’t work in your favor.
Bibliography:
“Coco Gauff.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 27 Sept. 2023, www.britannica.com/biography/Coco-Gauff.
Usopen.Org, www.usopen.org/index.html. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
NBCUniversal News Group. (2023, September 9). Coco Gauff wins U.S. Open Women’s final, defeating Aryna Sabalenka. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/coco-gauff-set-latest-black-american-woman-make-mark-us-open-rcna104090
“Sports.” HEAD, www.head.com/en/. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
