US Open champion Coco Gauff hit the jackpot today in Paris. Despite having a bitter pill to swallow at the Roland Garros singles against Iga Swiatek, Gauff proved that she is persistent in the sport she passionately admires. As she bags an interesting feat in the City of Love today, the fraternity remembers how she proved herself worthy to be called the true legacy-bearer of the Williams sisters.
A reliable tennis fan recently shared Coco Gauff’s latest achievement in Paris on their X platform. “Coco Gauff, 20, is the youngest player to win Grand Slam singles and doubles titles since Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2005″- mentioned the source. Gauff, who won her debut Grand Slam in the US Open last year, and had to exit in the semis against Swiatek at Roland Garros in singles, had something to celebrate in doubles. Partnering with Czech Republican WTA star, Katarina Siniakova, Gauff bagged her first Grand Slam in doubles today.
This American WTA star with her Czech partner defeated Italian duo Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani by 7-6(5), and 6-3 on Philippe Chatrier Court. Gauff’s victory marks her third entry to the Grand Slam doubles final and her first title in this segment. Previously, this American US Open champion entered the Roland Garros doubles finals in 2022 with her famous doubles partner Jessica Pegula.
However, she lost to the French WTA stars Carlone Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic by 6-2, 3-6, and 2-6. In fact, in the US Open Doubles 2021, Coco Gauff and her American doubles partner Caty McNally entered the finals. Still, they had no choice but to accept their defeat against Australia’s Samantha Stosur and China’s Zhang Shuai by 3-6, 6-3, and 3-6.
Following her recent victory, Coco Gauff joined Russian former WTA star Svetlana Kuznetsova, who earned her first Grand Slam Doubles title in the Australian Open 2005 tour with her Australian doubles partner Alicia Molik. Together they defeated the American WTA duo Lindsay Davenport and Corina Morariu by 2-0. One year before this achievement, Kuznetsova earned her first singles Grand Slam title at the US Open 2004 tour by defeating Russia’s Elena Dementieva by 2-0. She was only 19 then!
While Coco’s victory marks a special achievement for American tennis fans, she still couldn’t walk past her icon Serena Williams. Williams won both the Singles and Doubles in the US Open 1999 tour. While she defeated Martina Hingis by 6-3 and 7-6 to win the singles title, partnering with her elder sister Venus, Williams defeated Chanda Rubin and Sandrine Testud by 4-6, 6-1, and 6-4 to win her debut US Open Doubles title. In fact, she was a few days from turning 18 at that time.
On the other hand, Serena’s sister Venus Williams won her first Grand Slam Doubles at Wimbledon in 2000 partnering with her sister. Together these American WTA legends defeated Julie Halard-Decugis and Ai Sugiyama by 6-3 and 6-2 to win the doubles title. Venus won both Wimbledon 2000 singles and US Open singles in 2000, defeating Lindsay Davenport in the finals of both tours. She was only 20 then!
While Serena and Venus Williams’s record makes USA proud, Coco Gauff’s latest victory is nothing less than that. Given Gauff’s great admiration for the Williams sisters, fans believe she would work harder to bag more occasions to make her fans and her country proud. Gauff’s victory has delighted her heart after a saddening exit from the semi-final defeat to Polish Iga Swiatek. Her statements echo that joy to her fans and the fraternity.
Happy Coco Gauff says “Thank you to the fans” after winning her debut Grand Slam Doubles title in Paris
Gauff had a disappointing exit from Roland Garros singles. Not only she was defeated by her archnemesis Iga Swiatek for the 11th time but she also had a controversial incident with the match’s umpire. Despite that heartbreak, Gauff’s victory expresses her dedication and indomitable spirit.
“Third time’s a charm. Thank you, Katerina, for playing with me. We decided two days before the tournament to play together, Thank you to the fans. I know 11:30 Sunday morning is early for most people. It’s early for me”- she said post-victory.
Coco Gauff’s doubles victory in Paris is a testament to her resilience and hard work. Despite her unfortunate exit from the Singles tour, Gauff didn’t lose hope and returned as a champion showing her worth to her fans and the fraternity.