Coco Gauff matches Monica Seles and Williams Sisters in a rare feat following her glory in Auckland
The American teen became the sixth woman from her country to have 3 WTA titles in the bag before turning nineteen
Follow Us
Coco Gauff, Monica Seles and Serena Williams
Tennis prodigy Coco Gauff won her third WTA title at the ASB Classic in Auckland on Sunday and achieved another remarkable feat in the process. The 18-year-old has become the sixth American player to win her third WTA-level title before turning 19. She joins an illustrious list that includes the Williams sisters, Monica Seles, Jennifer Capriati, and Lindsey Davenport.
Being on such a start-studded list is undoubtedly a good omen for Gauff. Seles(9), Venus Williams(7), Capriati(3), and Davenport(3) have all gone on to win Grand Slam titles and have legendary careers. However, the one Gauff will be aiming the most to emulate is Serena Williams. The younger Williams sister won 23 Grand Slam titles in her career, the most by any woman, before retiring at the 2022 US Open. Gauff will be aspiring to follow the career trajectory of someone who can credibly be called the greatest woman ever to play the sport.
Gauff was on fire in Auckland throughout the week. The World Number 7 won the ASB Classic without dropping a set in her five matches. She was utterly dominant in the final, dropping just two games. Her performance was so brilliant, she saved ten break points in the match.
The title has given Gauff a great start to 2023. The American will be keen to carry the momentum forward as she looks to win the first Grand Slam of her career this year. With performances like this, she has a great chance of doing just this. She could emulate her idols, the Williams sisters, and win a Grand Slam title while still a teenager.
Gauff will have her first chance to do so Australian Open. The teenager hopes to do better than last year when she was knocked out in the first round. The French Open finalist will also hope to rise in the rankings, having entered the top 5 for the first time in 2022.
A look at Coco Gauff’s frustrating end to 2022
Gauff had a terrible end to 2022. The American finished the season on a five-match losing streak. It was the longest losing streak of her career. She lost all her matches at the WTA Finals to close out the year’s last tournament.
She has worked on her game during the interim, and the results were clear. The turnaround in her performances has led to a 5-0 record to start 2023. Despite the disappointing end to last year, Gauff hit some landmarks.
She reached her first Grand Slam final at the French Open. She also hit the World Number 1 rank in the doubles format, winning two titles. Coco Gauff will aim to have an even better year and improve further this season.
In case you missed it:
Stay Updated!
Samarth Srivastava
(139 Articles Published)