Coco Gauff has been feeling the love ever since she won her first Grand Slam title at the US Open last month and has even been offered a hand in marriage. The 19-year-old finally delivered on her early promise by coming from behind to defeat current world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in New York on September 9 to elevate her standing in the game to new heights, becoming the world No. 3 as a consequence.
Gauff has been out of action since injuring her shoulder at the China Open in early October but has returned in Cancun for the WTA Finals, where she got her campaign off to a winning start with an emphatic 6-0, 6-1 victory against World No. 7 Ons Jabeur.
The Tunisian has had her own injury problems of late, but she had no answer for the American teenager who broke serve in the second, fourth and sixth game of the first set before breaking again in the fourth and sixth game of the second, eventually cruising to a win on her fourth match point.
Gauff’s stock has risen considerably since her slam triumph at Flushing Meadows but even she admitted that she wasn’t expecting such a backing as she has received since arriving in Mexico for the season-ending tournament. And that has also included the forward offer of a spouse.
Speaking on court after her match, she said: “I honestly wasn’t expecting as much support today, I know Ons has a lot of fans. I got a marriage proposal yesterday so I’m feeling the love here in Cancun. I appreciate you guys and hopefully we can get a lot more people to come as the week continues.
“Ons is a great player, so I felt really unsteady the whole match even though it didn’t [look] like that, but I’m just happy to finally get a win here in this event.”
Gauff’s warm welcome in Mexico echoes the well wishes she has received since defeating Sabalenka at Flushing Meadows. Although she admitted to not doing anything wild after winning the US Open, she received an influx of congratulation messages from global stars, including one very special one from the American actress and singer Zendaya.
Speaking via the Tennis Channel, Gauff said: “I didn’t really do anything that cool after winning the US Open, to be honest. But the messages you get from celebrities are crazy. The coolest thing that happened to me was Zendaya sent me flowers to my house.
“It was like a huge bouquet of flowers. My brother & I struggled to lift it up on the table. I think it weighed at least 50 pounds. It was so heavy. I think that was the coolest thing.”
Gauff will face a solid test of her credentials at the WTA Finals when she faces former world No. 1 Iga Swiatek next in the round-robin group stage on Wednesday.
