If you keep up with tennis (or, likely, even if you don’t), you probably need no introduction to Coco Gauff, the 19-year-old superstar who won the U.S. Open women’s title in 2023. Gauff has been training since she was seven years old, and it shows; below, find the five best moments from her tennis career—which, it should be said, is still just getting started.
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Becoming a national champion...at 10 years and three months old
In 2014, Gauff won the USTA Clay Court National 12-and-under title at the age of 10 years and three months, making her the youngest champion in the tournament’s history.
Beating Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019
Not every 15-year-old can face off against a Williams sister on the court—much less win against one—but that’s exactly what Gauff did at Wimbledon in 2019 during her very first Grand Slam singles match. “Thank you for everything you’ve done,” Gauff told Williams after the victory, adding: “I wouldn’t be here without you.”
2022 French Open Final vs. Iga Swiatek
Not even the GOAT can win all the time, but Gauff put up an incredible fight and proved herself a class act when she came in second to Polish tennis player Iga Swiatek in the women’s singles final at the 2022 French Open.
Winning the 2023 US Open
“Speaking things into existence is real,” Gauff opined after her history-making win against Aryna Sabalenka at the 2023 US Open. “I’ve been trying to speak more positively of myself and actually telling myself that I’m a great player.” We love to see it!
Standing up for herself against an umpire in Dubai in 2024
“You’re going to apologize after this match because you know you messed up,” Gauff told chair umpire Pierre Bacchi in frustration during the 2024 Dubai Tennis Championships when he tried to insist that a point of Gauff’s should be replayed. “I’ve never questioned anything like this before.” Gauff ultimately won the game, saying that the argument with Bacchi “fueled” her.
