Teenage tennis prodigy Coco Gauff is the new US Open champion. She took home $3 million as prize money, since defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the summit clash on Saturday. This is Gauff’s maiden Grand Slam title, and she has some ideas about how she wants to spend her hard-earned money.
Gauff locked horns with the Belarussian in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium. Sabalenka claimed the opening set but Coco staged a remarkable comeback against the new World number one. With the US Open title under her belt, Gauff became the youngest player to achieve this feat since Serena Williams in 1999.
She went live on her Instagram the next day, just to interact with her fans and answer some questions. One of the biggest queries was how she intended to spend such a huge amount of money. When a fan suggested she use it to pay off her debts, Gauff burst into a laugh, stating she has no debts, as she is 19 and still lives with her parents.
Coco Gauff on what she’s gonna use her US Open prize money for:
‘Somebody said pay off debts… I’m 19, I don’t have any debt’ 😂 pic.twitter.com/vWhgggdGzQ
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) September 10, 2023
Gauff further added that she does not go to college at present so there are no loans to pay off. She also stated that her parents never put her in a position where she had to worry about finances.
Fans found humor in Coco’s answer, as the player herself did. One user joked, “Lmao she escaped the matrix.” Others also poked fun at her pronunciation of the word, since she is so unfamiliar with the concept. Here are a few reactions.
Lmao she escaped the matrix 💀
— Frenzy Yard (@YardFrenzy) September 11, 2023
It’s cute how she pronounces debt. Lol. She’s so unfamiliar with the concept that even her pronunciation of it is interesting. Love her! Congrats again, champ! 😂😂😂
— Tameka Mullins, PMP® (@tamstarz) September 10, 2023
coco said
‘debt? i don’t know that word. 🤭’ pic.twitter.com/x9uVxBmrVs— luca (@LucaGuadagnegro) September 10, 2023
The prize money from the US Open has boosted Coco Gauff’s career earnings to a whopping $11,107,463. Gauff is now spoilt for choice with how she wants to spend it.
Coco Gauff does have a few ideas about spending the money
The teen picked up a cheque of $3 million in prize money, since becoming the latest US Open champion. She thanked Billie Jean King in her victory speech, who had fought for equal pay for men and women in 1973.
Coco hopes to spend some of that money on food, as she has been vocal about wanting to eat a burger in her interviews. She also added that she might take a proper vacation since she has not been on one due to tennis.
Said she will probably treat herself to a proper vacation out of the country as she’s been around the world but hasn’t ever fully disconnected from work/tennis
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) September 10, 2023
Whichever way Coco Gauff wants to spend her money, she has earned it. Gauff had a remarkable hard court swing on her home soil, which culminated with the title at Flushing Meadows.