American tennis star Coco Gauff wins Grand Slam title at US Open, first for women since 2017
American tennis star Coco Gauff won the Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open on Saturday.
The 19-year-old’s victory marks the first time that an American woman has won the tournament since 2017, as well as the first time that an American teenager has won the title since tennis great Serena Williams did so in 1999.
Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenk, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, in the match at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. She will jump from the sixth- to third-ranked women’s player in the world with the win, according to The Washington Post.
She reached her initial major final at last year’s French Open, finishing as the runner-up, and now has now earned the greatest title of career. She earned a 12th consecutive victory and 18th in her past 19 matches dating to a first-round exit at the All England Club in July.
Gauff dropped to her back on the court when she was pronounced the winner. She then climbed into the stands and hugged her parents, with her mom saying "You did it.!"
This year’s U.S. Open also marked the 50th anniversary of pay equity between female and male competitors at the tournament.
The U.S. Open began offering equal prize money to players after tennis legend Billie Jean King said she and other female competitors would not play in 1973 without a change in the pay discrepancy.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.