Twelve months ago, Coco Gauff achieved one of her lifelong dreams.
Gauff recently opened up about needing time to fully comprehend her victory after becoming a Grand Slam champion. Reflecting on her 2023 US Open triumph, the American star admitted she was in “disbelief” after reaching one of her biggest goals.
Before the 2023 season, Gauff had often expressed her desire to win a Slam as a teenager. In September, just six months before turning 20, she made that dream a reality. Coming back from a set down in the final at Flushing Meadows, she defeated Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to claim her first Grand Slam title.
“I won the US Open, but it didn’t sink in right away. It took me about a week to truly believe it happened. I found myself crying—not out of sadness, but disbelief. I had always wanted to win a Slam as a teenager, so I felt like the clock was ticking. Every tennis player dreams of winning a Slam, so when it finally happened, it was hard to process. I’ll let you know how it feels when I win another,” Gauff shared in a commercial for Baker Tilly US.
It was a game-changer for Gauff
Her US Open victory was a turning point.
Just two months earlier, Gauff hit a career low after losing in the first round at Wimbledon. At the time, she struggled with her form and consistency, and it seemed like her progress had stalled.
However, she managed to overcome those mental barriers, leading to a highly successful North American hard-court season.
Now, Gauff is defending her title at the Cincinnati Open, where she won her first WTA 1000 title last year. After Cincinnati, she will turn her attention to defending her US Open crown.
