Coco Gauff has claimed the second-biggest title of her career so far, securing an impressive victory at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. The 20-year-old American’s triumph marked a significant milestone in her career and proved her ability to shine on the biggest stages of tennis. Gauff’s stunning performance throughout the tournament, culminating in a remarkable comeback win in the final over China’s Qinwen Zheng, has solidified her reputation as one of the sport’s rising stars.
Her journey to lifting the prestigious trophy wasn’t straightforward, but it highlighted Gauff’s resilience and determination. Starting off strong in the round-robin stage, Gauff secured a crucial victory over her fellow American, Jessica Pegula. The straight-sets win was the perfect way for the 20-year-old to begin her WTA Finals campaign, setting her up for an exciting tournament. But Gauff wasn’t done yet, and she followed up her win over Pegula with another impressive performance, this time beating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in straight sets as well. These back-to-back victories gave Gauff a ticket to the semifinals and further reinforced her status as a top contender at the event.
However, Gauff’s path to the final wasn’t without its hiccups. She faced a setback in her final group-stage match when she lost to Czech star Barbora Krejcikova in straight sets. The loss did not diminish her overall performance, but it did raise some eyebrows. While Krejcikova’s victory helped her secure a spot in the semifinals, the defeat also created some speculation and controversy about Gauff’s intentions during the match.
Rennae Stubbs, a former tennis pro and now an analyst, addressed these claims during an episode of *The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast*. On the podcast, Stubbs quickly shot down the idea that Gauff had deliberately lost the match to Krejcikova in order to prevent Swiatek from advancing to the semifinals. According to Stubbs, this theory was “nonsense,” emphasizing that Gauff, like any professional athlete, would not have intentionally thrown a match. “Coco’s thinking wasn’t about losing to Krejcikova,” Stubbs explained. “She’s thinking about wanting to win, especially to earn that extra bonus money for going undefeated. That’s not how she’s thinking—she’s thinking about her game and her performance.”
The idea that Gauff would consciously sabotage her chances for the sake of others is, as Stubbs pointed out, simply unfounded. Professional athletes like Gauff are motivated by their desire to win, improve, and compete at their highest level. Losing deliberately in a match, especially in a prestigious tournament like the WTA Finals, would make little sense. Furthermore, with a win over Swiatek earlier in the group stages, Gauff would have had every reason to push hard for a victory in the final round. But as is often the case in sports, not every match goes as planned, and in this case, Gauff’s loss to Krejcikova was simply a matter of her opponent playing better on the day.
Despite the setback, Gauff demonstrated her mental toughness by bouncing back strongly in the semifinals. There, she faced the formidable Aryna Sabalenka, who had just been confirmed as the World No. 1 heading into the tournament. Sabalenka was undoubtedly the favorite to win the tournament, having enjoyed an outstanding season. But Gauff was undeterred by the challenge. In an impressive display of composure and skill, Gauff defeated Sabalenka in straight sets, securing her place in the final. This victory was not just a statement win, but a testament to Gauff’s ability to perform under pressure and her growing confidence on the biggest stages of the sport.
The final itself was another thrilling encounter. Gauff faced off against Qinwen Zheng, who had been impressive in her own right, but the American’s superior experience and mental fortitude saw her through. After a tense first set, Gauff found her rhythm and stormed to a well-deserved victory, clinching the WTA Finals title with a 6-4, 6-3 scoreline. The win was a culmination of all her hard work, talent, and perseverance throughout the week in Riyadh. The title not only marked her second WTA Finals appearance but also confirmed her place among the sport’s elite players.
Gauff’s victory was a significant milestone in her career, not just because of the title itself, but because of the maturity she displayed throughout the event. From her early wins over Pegula and Swiatek to her resilient performance in the semifinals and final, she showed a level of consistency and composure that belies her young age. With this title, Gauff added to her already impressive resume and sent a message to the rest of the WTA that she is ready to contend for more major titles in the future.
Andy Roddick, the former American tennis star, also weighed in on Gauff’s performance at the WTA Finals. Roddick observed that Gauff had made significant improvements to her serve, a key part of her game that had helped her go all the way in Riyadh. It was clear that Gauff’s improved serving helped her dictate points and maintain control during key moments in matches, especially in her final victory over Zheng.
“Coco has definitely taken her serving to another level,” Roddick said. “It’s been a crucial improvement that has allowed her to compete with the best players. She’s always had the talent, but now, with the improved serve, she’s really starting to put everything together.”
As Gauff celebrates her WTA Finals victory, her focus will undoubtedly turn to the future. With this title in hand, she’ll continue to build on her momentum heading into the off-season, eager to return next year and add more trophies to her collection. Her growing confidence, alongside her improved game, suggests that this may only be the beginning of an even more successful chapter in her career.
Looking ahead, Gauff has set herself up for a bright future. She will undoubtedly continue to learn and improve, and her victory at the WTA Finals serves as a reminder to the tennis world that she is a player to watch in the years to come. As she lifts the second-biggest title of her career, Gauff has shown that she is capable of competing with and defeating the very best, and the future looks incredibly promising for this talented young American.