Cori Gauff says having to deal with high expectations at a young age has helped her prepare for the big things to come after her 2023 US Open win.
The 19-year-old battled hard after dropping the first set before beating Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in the US Open final, becoming the first American teenager to win a Grand Slam title since Serena Williams in 1999.
For the first time in his career, an American tennis player won a Grand Slam title after finishing runner-up at the French Open last season. She became the second woman in the last 20 seasons to win the US Open final after dropping the first set.
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The sixth seed has tipped to be a future tennis star since he was younger. At the age of 15, he began to steal attention by qualifying for the fourth round at Wimbledon in the 2019 season before breaking into the top 100 in the same season. So far, he has won a total of six titles, with four of them won this season.
“I feel like it’s a big accomplishment, but honestly, I feel like I’ve used to this, basically since I was 15 years old,” Gauff answered when asked if she’s ready for the rush of media attention following her US Open win.
“I’m sure it’s probably on a bigger scale now because of this milestone, but I’m ready. I know how to maintain my composure, but also accept everything that is happening around me.”
Now after winning the first Grand Slam title of his career, the champion in Cincinnati for the 2023 season stated that the victory only motivated him more. He stated that part of his motivation was fueled by those who doubted his ability in the world of tennis.
“I think the pressure has lifted little by little and I am still motivate to win more titles. “I’m just going to enjoy this and try not to look too much into the future,” Gauff added.
Another important factor in the 19 year old’s latest win is the experience he has gained in the world of tennis. She was crush in the first Grand Slam final of her career at last season’s French Open against Iga Swiatek after she could only win four games.
“This season’s French Open is where everything changed. I felt pressure to continue on from last season’s finale and I didn’t. So, I thought, I have to restructure my game,” Cori Gauff recalled.
“Then Wimbledon happened and it was a bitter defeat because I thought I played a good game. I just have to accept every positive and negative thing they say about me. I realize sometimes people have different personalities and some people need to close comments and not see them. But I am an argumentative person. I am very stubborn.”
Thanks to the US Open win, Gauff will rise to No. 3 in the world.
