© Getty Images Sport – Al Bello
Serena Williams has reacted to Coco Gauff’s US Open win as the American tennis icon congratulated the 19-year-old on “an amazing” achievement. Gauff, who grew up idolizing Williams, defeated Sabalenka 2-6 6-3 6-2 to become a Grand Slam champion at the US Open just like her idol did 24 years ago.
Williams, who retired from pro tennis after the 2022 US Open, took a moment to congratulate Gauff on her big day. “Ahhhhhhhhhh!!! Amazing!!!!!!!” Williams captured her Instagram Story.
Gauff paid tribute to Williams
After landing her first Grand Slam title, Gauff remembered those who inspired her to pick up a racket and believe that one day she could be a tennis star and a great champion.
Growing up, Gauff was looking up to Serena and Venus Williams. After becoming a Grand Slam champion at the age of 19, Gauff had a special message for the Williams sisters. “Yes, it’s crazy. I mean, they’re the reason why I have this trophy today, to be honest.
They have allowed me to believe in this dream, you know, growing up. You know, there wasn’t too many just Black tennis players dominating the sport. It was literally, at that time when I was younger, it was just them that I can remember.
Obviously, more came because of their legacy. So it made the dream more believable. But all the things that they had to go through, they made it easier for someone like me to do this. I mean, you look back at the history with Indian Wells, with Serena, all she had to go through, Venus fighting for equal pay.
Yeah, it’s just, like, it’s crazy and it’s an honor to be in that kind of lineup as them. And I’m looking at it, and she’s won this a lot of times. (laughter),” Gauff said after beating Sabalenka to lift her first Grand Slam title.
