Sports Figures React to Coco Gauff’s U.S. Open Championship
It was a coronation years in the making.
Ever since her surprise run to the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2019 as a 15-year-old, American tennis phenom Coco Gauff has been a rising star. On Saturday, she delivered on that promise, topping Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, to win the U.S. Open title.
Gauff’s first major championship prompted an outpouring of support from a variety of athletes, spanning tennis greats who’ve watched her since the beginning to luminaries across several different disciplines.
Fellow American Jessica Pegula, a longtime Gauff doubles partner, congratulated her friend and countrywoman on a momentous victory.
The cutest moment. Congrats @CocoGauff ???????? https://t.co/c9RafwVlom
— Jessie Pegula (@JPegula) September 9, 2023
Sloane Stephens, an American who Gauff beat en route to the French Open final in 2022, also sent her best.
Congratulations Cocofina @CocoGauff ???????????? my girl you are amazing!!!!
— sloanestephens (@SloaneStephens) September 9, 2023
Hall of Fame Lakers guard Magic Johnson congratulated the whole Gauff family.
Congratulations to @CocoGauff for beating Aryna Sabalenka and winning the U.S. Open!!! Kudos to her parents Corey and Candi, they’ve done an outstanding job!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 9, 2023
Noah Lyles, another American athlete putting together a stellar pre-Olympic year, called Gauff’s win “amazing.”
Congratulations @CocoGauff that was truly Amazing!
— Noah Lyles, OLY (@LylesNoah) September 9, 2023
Fox Sports analyst and former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho, like many, posted video of Gauff at the U.S. Open as a young girl.
Coco Gauff US Open champion.
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) September 9, 2023
From singing to crying.
From an 8 year old girl to a 19 year old woman.
The world is yours Coco, it always was. pic.twitter.com/qF1OFCXsFW
Australian tennis legend Rod Laver, the most recent man to win all four majors in one year, saluted the young champion.
Congratulations on breaking the ice at the US Open @CocoGauff. Winning your first major at home is special. You kept calm and withstood the pressure with maturity and purpose, the sign of a great champion. Enjoy the moment! ????
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) September 9, 2023
American Chris Eubanks, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist this season, told Gauff to “talk [her] talk.”
????️????️????️ TALK YOUR TALK @CocoGauff
— Christopher Eubanks (@chris_eubanks96) September 9, 2023
James Blake, another American tennis stalwart, was also complimentary.
What a moment @CocoGauff Congratulations on an amazing performance and you are a true champion on and off the court. You make the sport proud
— James Blake (@JRBlake) September 9, 2023