Coco Gauff didn’t hold back her sarcastic remarks as she directed some sharp volleys at the so-called tennis experts on social media, after becoming the first teen to win the US Open title, since Serena Williams. It was time for these tennis naysayers to brace themselves!
In her trophy ceremony, Gauff directed a barb on those who thought they were putting water on her fire, delivering a knockout blow at her critics, “Thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me. A month ago I won a 500 title, and people said I’d stop at that. Two weeks ago I won a 1000 title, and people said that was as big as it’d get. Three weeks later, I’m here.”
With a heartfelt smile, Gauff acknowledged the journey that had led her to this incredible moment. In her post-match conference, she further expressed how some people had dismissed her success as mere hype.
Coco Gauff has a message to Tennis Twitter:
“I felt like people were like ‘it was all hype.’ I see the comments. People think I don’t see, but I’m very aware of Tennis Twitter. I know y’all’s usernames. I know who’s talking trash. I can’t wait to look on Twitter right now.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/RH6SR05PQv
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 10, 2023
She said with a grin, “People think I don’t see, but I’m very aware of Tennis Twitter. I know y[our]’ all’s usernames…know who’s talking trash…can’t wait to look on Twitter right now!” However, her comment was not taken lightly by everyone.
I hope Coco understands the difference between how people feel about hype coming from US media and how people feel about her as a person and her tennis potential. My view is the hype has been detrimental to her progress because of expectations it put on her. Not a fight to pick. https://t.co/TdoUQkLALv
— Variant488 (@Variant488) September 10, 2023
I hope she’s just using it for motivation cause knowing ppls username is a bit extreme. pic.twitter.com/ScCZ4wCoUn
— 🇵🇷Cat🐱Boxing🥊 (@CatACor21) September 10, 2023
Coco has a lot to learn. People are entitled to their opinions of her. Does she have to agree with them of course not. Acting like an arrogant brat is not the way to handle them either. You just ignore them and keep doing what you were doing before. I never thought I’d see Coco…
— Vicki Mainard 🇦🇺🕹🏀🐈 I say no the racist voice (@vmainard) September 10, 2023
Some people criticized Coco for her “sour” approach to criticism while some told her to look over the trolls as it doesn’t look good on a champion like her.
The 19-year-old harnessed the power of doubt as motivation, admitting that she had read such critical messages just moments before stepping onto the court to face the Aryna Sabalenka, the new world no. 1 in just her second Major final.
Coco Gauff pays tribute to black players after her US Open victory
Coco Gauff shared her heartfelt gratitude for the trailblazing black players who have paved the way for her after her US Open win. She spoke of the honor she felt standing in the same league as legends like Althea Gibson, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Naomi Osaka, and Sloane Stephens, in her press conference, after her maiden win at Flushing Meadows.
Coco Gauff is grateful for the black champions who came before her:
“It’s an honor to be in that stat with Althea Gibson, Serena, Venus, Naomi, Sloane.. they paved the way for me to be here. I remember Sloane winning this trophy in 2017. I had lost in the final of junior US… pic.twitter.com/JcVsM8VfsQ
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 10, 2023
Gauff recounted a moment of inspiration when she witnessed Sloane Stephens claim the US Open trophy in 2017. She had watched Sloane since the age of 10, and her victory served as a beacon of hope. For her, Sloane’s triumph was more than just a victory, it was a testimony to the dreams she had nurtured since childhood.
Like the Williams sisters, Gauff found it difficult to put into words what these iconic sisters meant to her, serving as towering pillars of role models. She concluded by expressing her aspiration to carry forward this legacy and hoped that another young girl could witness her victory and find belief in herself. It was truly a triumph for the legacy of black players in tennis, an inspiration for generations to come!