First Ball Forehand

Coco Gauff said she’s honored to have won first WTA event in Saudi Arabia

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Coco Gauff triumphed at the WTA Finals in Riyadh: the young American player never gave up, despite the score and the level consistently expressed by her opponent. Coco found herself on the brink of defeat several times, but she continued to fight, giving everything she had, and managed to complete an incredible comeback, beating Qinwen Zheng with the score of 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2). The American is the youngest player to win the tournament that brings together the best eight of the since Maria Sharapova in 2004. Not only that, because she is the fourth American to achieve the feat before turning 21, after Chris Evert (1972-73, 75), Tracy Austin (1980) and Serena Williams (2001).

In the post-match interview, Gauff thanked her team and her family, praising her young Chinese opponent and the tournament director, former WTA super star Garbine Muguruza.

“I want to thank my team. It’s been a long season. I want to thank you. This week has been so much fun. Win or lose, I always have fun with you guys. Thanks to my parents. My mom is here. My dad is watching at home, my brother, my grandparents. Thanks to the man up there for letting me be here. This is the first professional women’s tennis event in Saudi Arabia. I couldn’t be more honored to win the trophy. Thank you Garbine. Your first time as tournament director. You did an incredible job. I want to congratulate Qinwen on an incredible match and tournament. You had a stellar season. You won the gold medal and reached so many finals. Hopefully we can play many more finals together. Congratulations to your team as well. You are very kind. It’s a fun competition,” she said.

Qinwen, after the defeat, said: “I want to thank everyone who came tonight. It’s been a long week. Thank you to all the staff. Thank you to my team for trying to keep me healthy. I’ve played a lot of matches this year, but I’m still on the court fighting. Thank you. I wouldn’t be here without you. Congratulations to the champion. It’s your first title here. I wish you a great future.”

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