The great Roger Federer congratulated Coco Gauff on “an inspirational” win at the US Open. On Saturday, Gauff became a Grand Slam champion at the age of 19 after beating Aryna Sabalenka 2-6 6-3 6-2 in the US Open final. Federer, a former 20-time Grand Slam champion, said in his message it is “great” to see Gauff’s hard work being rewarded.
Also, Federer told Gauff he has been following her since she burst onto the scene in 2019. “Inspirational win @CocoGauff. Been watching your tennis and following you for years. It’s great to see so much hard work and passion being rewarded.
You shine brighter than ever,” Federer wrote on X.
Gauff wins the US Open, receives a congratulatory message from Federer
Leading up to the US Open, Gauff won titles in Washington and Cincinnati.
While many felt Gauff had a strong chance of winning the US Open, there were also some who thought the American wasn’t really capable of delivering big-time at Flushing Meadows. After beating Sabalenka, Gauff had a strong message for her doubters.
“Thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me. Like a month ago, I won a 500 title (Washington, DC) and people said I would stop at that. Two weeks ago I won a 1000 title (Cincinnati) and people were saying that was the biggest I was going to get.
So three weeks later, I’m here with this trophy right now. I tried my best to carry this with grace and I’ve been doing my best. So, honestly, to those who thought [they] were putting water on my fire, you’re really adding gas to it.
And now I’m really burning so bright right now. I just felt like people were, like, ‘oh, she’s hit her peak and she’s done. It was all hype.’ I see the comments. People don’t think I see it, but I see it.
I’m very aware of tennis Twitter. I know y’all’s usernames, so I know who’s talking trash,” Gauff said.
