Coco Gauff has won her first-ever major title after beating Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open on Saturday.
The win makes Guaff the first American teen to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 2001.
Gauff beat Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to lock in her historic win on September 9.
Gauff is now just the third American teenager ever to win the US Open title.
Following her US Open win, Gauff’s ranking will move from No. 6 to No. 3 in the world when the new rankings are released on September 11.
Heading into her final match, Gauff had already become the first American teen — male or female — since Serena Williams in 2001 to reach the US Open quarterfinal, semifinal, or final.
In an interview following her semifinal win, Gauff spoke about her admiration for Williams.
“Serena is Serena,” Gauff said. “She’s the GOAT. I’d hope to do half of what she did. But I’m not gonna compare myself to her.”
Gauff went on to share how much she would have liked to have played Williams in a match before the legend retied in 2020.
“She’s my idol,” Gauff said. “The only regret I’ll have for the rest of my life is not being able to play her. There were so many tournaments where if we won an extra round and didn’t lose, I would’ve played her. But I’m still happy to just be a product of her legacy and be out here for American tennis.
Photo by John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock
Yes, you did it Coco. Let’s just call you the G.O.A.T. in training. 22 years in the making! Congratulations to both you and Serena.