Justine Henin, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, has high praise for Coco Gauff, emphasizing that the young American’s resilience could be the key to her long-term success. Henin believes that Gauff’s ability to fight through adversity and bounce back from difficult situations demonstrates a maturity and determination that will serve her well in her career. This sentiment comes as Gauff capped off her 2024 season in spectacular fashion by clinching the WTA Finals title in Riyadh, a victory marked by grit and incredible perseverance.
The 20-year-old American’s road to the WTA Finals title was far from smooth. In her championship match against China’s Zheng Qinwen, Gauff faced immense challenges. Zheng dominated the first set and even secured a break in the second, appearing poised for a straight-sets victory. With her back against the wall, Gauff refused to surrender, clawing her way back to level the match. In the deciding set, she was twice down by a break and trailed 3-5 at one point. Yet, Gauff displayed remarkable composure and determination, ultimately prevailing with a scoreline of 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) after three hours and seven minutes of intense play.
This victory was a testament to Gauff’s resilience, a quality Henin believes will define her career. “She has a resilience that potentially will take her very far in terms of what she will win in her career. She has the capacity to bounce back, and that’s the sign of a potentially very big future. Of course, there is a path to get there and reach these successes. Her end of season has been really exceptional, the way that she went after the win in that final,” Henin told *Eurosport*.
Henin also pointed out that Gauff’s victory wasn’t just about her athletic ability but also about her mental fortitude. “It’s great to watch matches of that quality. We’ve seen a lot of them this year and we’re seeing some rivalries begin to establish themselves at the top of the game. Coco showed once again a lot of heart; she plays with her weaknesses, with her flaws, but she never gives up, and that’s what she showed once more in that final,” Henin added.
Gauff’s success in Riyadh marked a triumphant conclusion to a year that was, at times, marked by significant challenges. Throughout the summer, she experienced a slump, struggling with her form and consistency. Her performances at Wimbledon, the Paris Olympics, and the US Open were disappointing, and serving issues added to her woes. Despite the setbacks, Gauff’s determination never wavered. She closed out the season strong, capturing titles in Beijing and the WTA Finals and making it to the semifinals in Wuhan.
Reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster of the Riyadh final, Gauff spoke about her mindset during the match. “It was a great match. Qinwen played great tennis; I tried my best to hang in there, and I never gave up. I’ve been in situations like this in the past and have been able to turn it around, and I was so glad to do it again,” she said.
Henin also addressed the criticism Gauff has faced in her career. The young star has never shied away from speaking out against her detractors. Following her 2023 US Open triumph, Gauff famously stated that she “kept receipts” of what was said about her on social media and used it as motivation to silence those who doubted her. After her latest victory at the WTA Finals, Gauff cheekily suggested that it was time for her critics to reconsider their narrative about her 2024 season.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gauff shifted focus from her critics to her supporters, writing, “Also, I know I tend to focus on ‘doubters/haters’ but this one is really for all of my supporters! Y’all held it down for me win or lose! I thank you for that. I see you, and I appreciate you. And I know some of you are a little bit petty like me, so it does feel nice to silence them for a bit.”
Henin recognized that while some of Gauff’s results this season might not have met external expectations, the young star remains her harshest critic. “That’s also part of the game, the critics. She had some results that were less good; there is then analysis of that. She had a very difficult summer. Last year, she had a summer that was completely different. We’ve seen things that have evolved in her game in a difficult way, but I was nonetheless quite impressed by the level of her game [in Riyadh]. Even if we can analyze her career and her results, we must also not forget that she is still very young and we are very demanding of her. She is very demanding of herself,” Henin noted.
As Gauff’s 2024 season wraps up, her focus will soon shift to her next challenge: representing her country in the United Cup. For now, though, she can take pride in the resilience and growth she has displayed, qualities that will no doubt shape the next chapter of her promising career.