By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Conviction helped carry Coco Gauff to her maiden major title at the US Open.
Commitment to the cause has earned Gauff another prestigious title: a spot on Time's Women of the Year list.
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The world No. 3 was one of 12 women named to Time Magazine's Women of the Year list, joining director Greta Gerwig and actress Taraji P. Henson among others.
"I knew about it last year, so it’s really cool to be on that list among other amazing women," Gauff said in Dubai today. "Especially making it so young. It means a lot.
"I’m super grateful for them to choose me to do that. I know I’m going to the event in March, so I’m really excited for that. One of the rare times I get dressed up so I’m really excited and thank you to Time for choosing me."
Gauff hit a backhand bolt sealing her maiden Grand Slam title with gripping 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 triumph over second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final.
A dynamic Gauff bounced back from a jittery opening set, slashing through five straight games to seize the second set and snatch a 4-0 lead in the third turning the largest Grand Slam stadium in the sport into a massive house party with more than 23,000 screaming fans relishing the ride.
The 19-year-old Gauff became the youngest American to win the US Open since her tennis hero, a 17-year-old Serena Williams, defeated world No. 1 Martina Hingis in the 1999 final.
Auckland champion Gauff tells Time she has one clear goal: amass as much Grand Slam silverware as possible.
“That’s the motivation that drives me,” Gauff told Time Magazine. “I’m sure the ‘Face of Tennis’ and glitz and glam will come along with that. But I don’t really care about any of that.
"I really just care about how many of those major trophies I can get in my house.”
Photo credit: Darren Carroll/USTA