By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Conviction helped carry Coco Gauff to her maiden main title on the US Open.
Dedication to the trigger has earned Gauff one other prestigious title: a spot on Time’s Girls of the Yr record.
Extra: James Blake Q&A
Extra: Richard Evans Q&A
The world No. 3 was one in all 12 ladies named to Time Journal’s Girls of the Yr record, becoming a member of director Greta Gerwig and actress Taraji P. Henson amongst others.
“I knew about it final yr, so it’s actually cool to be on that record amongst different wonderful ladies,” Gauff mentioned in Dubai at present. “Particularly making it so younger. It means so much.
“I’m tremendous grateful for them to decide on me to try this. I do know I’m going to the occasion in March, so I’m actually excited for that. One of many uncommon instances I dress up so I’m actually excited and thanks to Time for selecting me.”
Based on Sportico, @CocoGauff is the world’s highest-paid feminine athlete. The greater than $22 million she earned in 2023 is a degree of satisfaction. “Being a Black girl, in a sport that isn’t as numerous as others are, it undoubtedly means so much to me,” she says
— TIME (@TIME) February 21, 2024
Gauff hit a backhand bolt sealing her maiden Grand Slam title with gripping 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 conquer second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka within the US Open ultimate.
A dynamic Gauff bounced again from a jittery opening set, slashing by way of 5 straight video games to grab the second set and snatch a 4-0 lead within the third turning the most important Grand Slam stadium within the sport into a large home occasion with greater than 23,000 screaming followers relishing the experience.
The 19-year-old Gauff grew to become the youngest American to win the US Open since her tennis hero, a 17-year-old Serena Williams, defeated world No. 1 Martina Hingis within the 1999 ultimate.
Meet our Girls of the Yr: 12 leaders working towards a extra equal world
— TIME (@TIME) February 21, 2024
Auckland champion Gauff tells Time she has one clear objective: amass as a lot Grand Slam silverware as doable.
“That’s the motivation that drives me,” Gauff instructed Time Journal. “I’m certain the ‘Face of Tennis’ and glitz and glam will come together with that. However I don’t actually care about any of that.
“I actually simply care about what number of of these main trophies I can get in my home.”
Photograph credit score: Darren Carroll/USTA
