By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday August 14, 2022
Coco Gauff gets the biggest headlines for her work on the singles court, but the American has been a force in doubles since the start of her career and she was rewarded for her dedication to craft on Sunday as she locked up the WTA’s No.1 ranking.
18-year-old Gauff (born March 13, 2004), who paired with Jessica Pegula to defeat Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Ellen Perez, 6-4, 6-7(5), 10-5, in the Toronto final, is the second-youngest player to earn the No.1 doubles ranking, behind only Martina Hingis, who achieved the feat at 17 years and 251 days in June of 1998.
“It feels great,” Gauff said. “Jess and I, the partnership started off I think we had three first-round losses. But I knew that we had good games in singles so I knew it could transfer to doubles.
“Being No. 1 is pretty cool. I have no words. … I didn't really know it was coming this week and what I had to do. But she told me yesterday – It didn't make me more nervous though. I think if it was singles, I would have been more nervous.”
Pegula will also make her top-10 doubles debut on Monday.
She and Gauff have claimed two titles together in 2022, giving Gauff five for her career, and Pegula four.
The pair also reached the Roland-Garros final in June.
“I'm so glad that I could help her get there today. Pretty amazing being 18 and being No. 1 in the world in doubles. We're I think No. 1 in the Race and top two Americans in singles. So it's been pretty cool little journey that we're on together, even though I'm 10 years older. It's been awesome. It's been really cool. It’s been super exciting.”