19-year-old African-American Coco Gauf Makes History as Youngest Woman to Win US Tennis Open

In a historic triumph, 19-year-old African-American tennis sensation Coco Gauf has secured her place in sports history by becoming the youngest woman to claim victory at the US Tennis Open. Gauf, known for her exceptional talent, defeated Greek World No.9 Maria Sakkari with a commanding score of 6-2, 6-3 in the women's final of the DC Open, marking her as the youngest American woman to achieve this feat since Serena Williams in 2001.

This victory, Gauf's fourth singles title and her first at a WTA-500 event, solidifies her standing as a rising star in the tennis world. The DC Open win also cements her as the youngest women's champion in the tournament's history, underscoring her unparalleled skill and determination.

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Reflecting on her achievement, Gauf expressed, "It means a lot to me really. Any American tournament I think is special, but I feel like even more here. I have played Cincinnati and I have played other tournaments in the U.S., even last year in San Jose when this was in San Jose, but I think that there is just something about D.C."

This recent victory adds to Gauf's string of accomplishments, including breaking a 15-year record in 2021 as the youngest woman to reach a grand slam quarterfinal at the French Open. Additionally, she holds the distinction of being the youngest American woman to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal since Venus Williams achieved the feat at the 1997 U.S. Open.

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Her journey in tennis began with her professional debut in 2017, and since then, Gauf has been making waves in the sport. In an interview, she expressed admiration for Serena Williams, emphasizing that she sees Williams as her idol and not a competitor. Gauf remarked, "Serena is Serena, She’s the GOAT. I’d hope to do half of what she did. But I’m not gonna compare myself to her."

According to Forbes, Coco Gauf achieved the status of the seventh highest-paid female athlete in the world in 2022, highlighting her impact on and off the tennis court.

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Gauf's story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and showcases the potential for young talent to leave an indelible mark on the world stage. Her remarkable achievements continue to propel her into the spotlight, solidifying her position as a trailblazer in the world of tennis.