Coco Gauff has made the headlines by becoming the youngest WTA Finals champion in two decades. In a thrilling showdown, she showcased her resilience and skill by overcoming China’s Zheng Qinwen with a final score of 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2). In the process, she also became the first American since Serena Williams to win the coveted title.
After her impressive victory, she dropped to the ground in disbelief, covering her face with her hands. Overcome with emotion, she let out a joyful scream and turned to acknowledge the supportive crowd with a wave, expressing her gratitude for their encouragement.
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Coco Gauff’s reaction after winning the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 9, 2024
She falls to the floor.
The youngest WTA Finals Champion since Maria Sharapova in 2004.
20 years ago.
Sends chills down your spine.
Absolute scenes. 🥹
pic.twitter.com/kLiSuQoh9c
The Tale of the Fixture
The intense match spanned three hours, highlighting Gauff's determination and talent. By clinching this prestigious title, she not only secured a remarkable $4.8 million prize but also became the first American champion since Serena Williams in 2013.
The 20-year-old showcased her composure during the final-set tie-break, establishing a commanding 6-0 lead before clinching the victory. Her joy was evident as she celebrated on the court, achieving a remarkable feat by securing the year-end world number three ranking for the second consecutive year. Notably, this match marked the longest WTA Finals title clash since 2008.
Throughout the tournament in Riyadh, Gauff showed her prowess by defeating the world’s top two players, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, on her journey to the final. In addition to her remarkable performance, she has also made history by earning a staggering $4,805,000 in prize money, the highest ever in women’s sports.
"It was a really great match. Qinwen played some unbelievable tennis," Gauff said.
"I was just telling myself, 'It's another point, another chance.' I've been in situations like this in the past and was able to turn it around." she added.
Zheng, who was making her WTA Finals debut dominated the first set and won in under an hour. The Olympic gold medalist maintained her strong performance in the second set, starting off with a 3-1 lead. However, Gauff displayed remarkable determination, breaking Zheng twice to bring the match to a tie.
In the third set, Zheng served for the match at 5-4 but made four unforced errors, allowing Gauff to recover and dominate the tie-break for her first WTA Finals title.