Coco Gauff secured her first-ever U.S. Open title in a thrilling comeback victory against Aryna Sabalenka, and the young tennis sensation’s post-match actions have sparked discussion. The ESPN “SportsCenter” Twitter account’s description of Gauff’s reaction to her win prompted Super Bowl champion head coach Tony Dungy to clarify her actions.
In an intense final that saw Gauff recover from a set down to triumph 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, the official “SportsCenter” Twitter account tweeted that Gauff “took a moment to soak it all in after winning her first Grand Slam title.” However, Dungy quickly chimed in, highlighting Gauff’s strong Christian faith. He pointed out that what appeared to be Gauff “soaking it all in” was, in fact, a heartfelt moment of prayer.
Dungy’s assertion was grounded in Gauff’s well-documented openness about her Christian beliefs. Following her historic win on home soil, Gauff shared her perspective on what the victory meant to her. She mentioned the trials and tribulations she had faced, emphasizing that she didn’t pray for specific outcomes but rather for the strength to give her best effort. Gauff’s profound faith played a significant role in her journey to the U.S. Open championship.
I hate to break this to you SportsCenter but Coco Gauff was not “soaking it all in” at this moment. She was praying. She has been very open about her Christian faith in the past. It seems pretty obvious what she is doing here. https://t.co/UOZ6zoCEPC
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) September 10, 2023
The victory marked a significant milestone in Gauff’s career. At just 19 years old, she became the youngest American, male or female, to clinch the U.S. Open title since the legendary Serena Williams achieved the feat at the age of 19 in 2001. Notably, Williams had also won the tournament two years prior, at the age of 17. Gauff’s achievement puts her in the illustrious company of American tennis icons, joining the likes of Serena Williams and Tracy Austin as one of the few American teenagers to secure the coveted U.S. Open trophy.
Gauff’s remarkable journey to her first U.S. Open title included a quarterfinal finish in Queens the previous year and a challenging loss in the 2022 French Open. Her tenacity, unwavering faith, and incredible talent have now propelled her to the pinnacle of success in the world of tennis.
