Coco Gauff becomes just third teenager to win U.S. Open
Teenage tennis superstar phenom Coco Gauff couldn’t help herself after becoming just the third teenager in history to win the U.S. Open. Gauff took to her knees in gratitude to God for giving her the strength to win one of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world.
The star revealed Monday morning on NBC that she was “just saying thank you,” when asked what was happening at that moment she bowed her knees on television in prayer.
“I was just saying thank you, and I understood all the tough times were just to make that moment even sweeter.” Gauff lost the French Open and revealed how disappointed she was at that moment but knows that God sometimes allows trials to make us stronger and push us further.”
“Oh my goodness. It means so much to me. I feel like I’m a little bit in shock in this moment,” Gauff said.
She went on to share that it was the hard times that made this victory that much better.
“That French Open loss was a heartbreak for me. I realized God puts you through tribulations and trials. This makes this moment even more sweeter than I could imagine,” explained Gauff. “I think if it came easy, I wouldn’t feel as appreciative as I did in that moment, clearly.”
SportsCenter reported that Gauff was on her knees, “just taking it all in” but was quickly corrected by Coach Tony Dungy who pointed to how open Gauff has been about her Christian faith.
“I hate to break this to you SportsCenter but Coco Gauff was not “soaking it all in” at this moment. She was praying. She has been very open about her Christian faith in the past. It seems pretty obvious what she is doing here.”
I hate to break this to you SportsCenter but Coco Gauff was not “soaking it all in” at this moment. She was praying. She has been very open about her Christian faith in the past. It seems pretty obvious what she is doing here. https://t.co/UOZ6zoCEPC
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) September 10, 2023
Others chimed in and reminded themselves how important it is to stop and pray, in life’s biggest moments and smallest.
Gauff joins Serena Williams and Tracy Austin as only the third teenager in history to win a US Open.
“I don’t pray for results. I just ask that I get the strength to give it my all,” explained Gauff. “Whatever happens, happens. I’m so blessed in this life. I’m just thankful for this moment. I don’t have any words for it, to be honest.”
Gauff is a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Boynton Beach, Florida. The church gave her a shoutout on Facebook when she was only 15 and qualified for the French Open.
“YES! Cori ‘Coco’ Gauff is one of our members. We are so proud of Coco and all of her amazing successes. May God continue to bless her!”
