Coco Gauff, the rising tennis superstar, capped off her spectacular 2024 season by kissing the WTA Finals trophy—a fitting symbol of her journey to becoming one of the most formidable forces in women’s tennis. The 20-year-old American has never shied away from responding to critics, and her victory speech at the US Open in September 2023 was a defining moment that showcased her determination and resilience. Gauff’s comments after her maiden Grand Slam triumph were a pointed response to those who doubted her capabilities, serving as a rallying cry for her continued pursuit of greatness.
During her trophy presentation at Flushing Meadows, Gauff delivered a powerful message to her critics, stating, “I want to say, honestly, thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me.” She continued by recounting the doubters’ predictions about her career trajectory: “A month ago, I won a 500 title, and people said I would stop at that. Two weeks ago, I won a 1000 title, and people were saying that was the biggest it was going to get. So three weeks later, I’m here with this trophy right now.” Gauff’s words resonated deeply, as she emphasized how criticism had only fueled her determination: “To those who thought they were putting water on my fire, you were really adding gas to it. And now I’m really burning so bright right now.”
Gauff’s 2023 triumphs were no fluke, as she continued to assert her dominance in the following season. She began 2024 with a strong start, capturing the Auckland Open title in January. However, her journey was not without obstacles. Several early-round exits and inconsistent performances throughout the middle of the year, including a challenging North American hard-court swing, led some to question whether Gauff had already peaked. The criticism reached a fever pitch after a particularly tough loss in Cincinnati, prompting headlines such as “Gauff’s Slump Summer” on tennis broadcasts.
Recalling that period, Gauff revealed to WTA Insider how the negativity impacted her: “I remember after my loss in Cincinnati, they have the TV on Tennis Channel in the locker room. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the headline was like ‘Gauff’s Slump Summer’ or something like that. I looked at that and I was just like, ‘Dang, I have to turn it around somehow.’” A difficult defeat against Emma Navarro at the US Open further fueled public criticism. “A lot of people were critiquing my season, you know, ‘Flop era.’ I know all the Twitter terms,” Gauff acknowledged, but instead of letting it deter her, she used it as motivation: “I think for me it was just motivation. I’m the author of my own story, and I’m not going to let anybody write me off.”
True to her word, Gauff returned to form at the WTA Finals, where she put on a masterclass by defeating both Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek—the top two players in the WTA Rankings—to claim the prestigious title. Her performance silenced critics and underscored her immense potential and growth as a player. However, Gauff is candid about the challenges of dealing with public scrutiny and harsh remarks on social media. In an interview, she admitted, “I don’t really talk to my team or anybody [about the criticism]. Sometimes my boyfriend, but not to a deep extent.”
Gauff’s approach to handling negativity involves self-reflection and a combination of strategies to maintain her mental health. “I do journal a lot, and I think it’s just a lot of self-reflection and self-awareness. I do have a therapist. I haven’t gone in a while, but I do that. I try to go once every two weeks, schedule permitting,” she shared. Support from her parents, especially her father, has also played a significant role in helping her navigate the ups and downs of her career. “My dad is pretty petty like me. I’m pretty sure the first thing he’s going to say when I call him is something about what people were saying about me,” Gauff joked, reflecting on her family’s unwavering support.
As Coco Gauff continues to defy expectations and rewrite her story, her resilience, talent, and unbreakable spirit serve as a powerful reminder of what it takes to succeed at the highest levels of sport. With her WTA Finals victory and a season-ending World No. 1 ranking under her belt, Gauff has proven that she is more than capable of rising above the noise—and she is just getting started.