Coco Gauff is becoming a star in front of America’s eyes, and plenty of other stars are taking notice.
After the 19-year-old’s first career Grand Slam championship at the U.S. Open on Saturday at Arthur Ashe Statdium, congratulations have streamed in from all corners for the young American champion.
Gauff, currently ranked No. 6 in the world but is set to rise to No. 3, defeated Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, to become the first American woman to win the event since 2017 and the youngest American woman to earn the title since Serena Williams in 1999.
“Congratulations to US Open champion, @CocoGauff!” former President Barack Obama wrote on X. “We couldn’t be prouder of you on and off the court – and we know the best is yet to come.”
“Wow @CocoGauff What a moment!” two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka said. “Congratulations! Very well deserved! Enjoy every moment of it.”
Andy Roddick, the last American man to win the U.S. Open title, which he won in 2003, could barely put together words.
“Cccccccooooooooooccccccccooooooo !!!!!!!!!” he wrote. “Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!”
“Coco!!!!! Gave me chills,” American tennis player Shelby Rogers, a one-time U.S. Open quarterfinalist, wrote.
Gauff’s victory transcended just tennis, though, as Lakers legend Magic Johnson and Giants running back Saquon Barkley also chimed in with their own messages of congratulations.
“Congratulations to @CocoGauff for beating Aryna Sabalenka and winning the U.S. Open!!! Kudos to her parents Corey and Candi, they’ve done an outstanding job!” Johnson wrote on X.
“Coco!!! let’s go!!” Barkley added.
Gauff has been on an electric run this summer, winning hard-court tournaments in both Washington D.C. and Cincinnati before taking home the big prize in Queens on Saturday.
Since adding coach Brad Gilbert to her team, who also steered Roddick and Andre Agassi to U.S. Open titles, Gauff has lost just one match following her first-round Wimbledon disappointment.
