- Coco Gauff took down Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to win the 2023 US Open.
- The 19-year-old American shared an emotional moment with her parents immediately after the win.
NEW YORK — Coco Gauff is your 2023 US Open women's singles champion.
The 19-year-old American superstar broke through to win the first Grand Slam of her young career, beating soon-to-be world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in Saturday's final in Flushing Meadows.
After winning match point, falling to the floor, and taking a moment to soak in her biggest victory yet, Gauff wiped her tears and made her way into the stands of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
She had family to see.
The newly minted champion climbed up the concrete steps of the largest arena in tennis and, before she could even reach her player box, collapsed into the outstretched arms of her father, Corey. Her mom, Candi, joined them moments later, and the trio appeared to sob into one another over the remarkable feat.
Hugs all around for the Gauff family! pic.twitter.com/OFWxBD2c3j
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2023
During her on-court interview moments later, Gauff revealed that "today was the first time I've ever seen my dad cry." Corey then frantically motioned "no" from the player box, and the young star laughed.
"He doesn't want me to tell you all that," Gauff said. "But he got caught in 4K."
Then, she thanked both of her parents for having "believed in me from the beginning" of her tennis career.
Coco spilled the tea on her dad’s emotion pic.twitter.com/mzk0GvmHrj
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2023
During her post-match press conference, Gauff said both of her parents always encouraged her to "dream big." But perhaps more importantly, Corey and Candi continually reminded their remarkably talented daughter "that I'm a person and I'm human and that this tennis thing is just what I do, but it's not who I am."
"In the past, I would label myself as a tennis player, and I felt like if I didn't do well in tennis it meant I wasn't a good person," Gauff said. "It took a lot of growth to realize the opposite. Honestly, it's been a struggle."
"I used to put my tennis and compare it to my self-worth; when I would lose, I would think I was not worth it as a person," she added. "So having my parents always remind me that they loved me regardless of how I do helped me today."