![Coco Gauff US Open](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2023/09/063_1670686260-620x414.jpg)
Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in their Women’s Singles Final on day thirteen of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the borough of Queens. New York City. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP
Coco Gauff said critics who doubted her ability to win a major title fueled her breakthrough Grand Slam victory at the US Open on Saturday.
The 19-year-old American captured the first major championship of her career with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 defeat against rising world number one Aryna Sabalenka in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
Gauff, who climbed into the stands to hug her family after the win, then gave a cheeky “thank you” to those who wondered about her ability to win major titles.
“Honestly, thanks to the people who didn’t believe in me… two weeks ago I won a 1000 title (in Cincinnati) and people said this was the biggest it was going to get,” she said. “Three weeks later I am standing here with this trophy.
“Honestly, those who thought they were putting water on my fire, you actually added gas to it, and now I’m really burning so brightly now.”
![Coco Gauff US Open](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2023/09/AP23252823403195-620x414.jpg)
Coco Gauff of the United States holds up the championship trophy after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the women’s singles final of the US Open tennis championships, Saturday, September 9, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Gauff was defeated in her first Grand Slam final at the French Open last year, a defeat she told ESPN on Saturday left her feeling like “my life was going to end.”
“That defeat at the French Open (last year) was heartbreak for me. That makes this moment even sweeter than I could imagine,” Gauff said.
“I am so grateful for this moment. To be honest, I have no words for it.”
Gauff, meanwhile, paid tribute to her father, who took her to the US Open when she was growing up to watch her tennis idols Serena and Venus Williams.
“Today was the first time I’ve ever seen my dad cry,” Gauff continued. ‘He doesn’t want me to tell you about that.
“I have been coming to this tournament for so long. My dad took me to this tournament as I sat there and watched Venus and Serena compete, so it’s really incredible to be on this stage.
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