Sloane Stephens is thrilled for Coco Gauff and the 19-year-old's US Open success. On Saturday, Gauff lifted her first Grand Slam title after beating Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final. With Gauff's victory, American women's tennis got its first US Open champion since Stephens in 2017.
Also, they got their first Grand Slam champion since Sofia Kenin won the 2020 Australian Open. “Obviously she's so young & so talented. I've known her since she was like 6 years old. We played at the same club & had the same coach.
It's really nice to see her have some amazing results. I think everyone raises their level when they see someone doing well. The state of American tennis right now is incredible. Especially on the women's side, also on the men's side..
but on the women's side it's very heavy. That only makes players want to improve & get better," Stephens said of Gauff.
Sloane Stephens says Coco Gauff’s US Open win inspires her & other players to improve:
“Obviously she's so young & so talented.I've known her since she was like 6 years old. We played at the same club & had the same coach. It's really nice to see her have some amazing results.… pic.twitter.com/ukP2gdQ0Fx — The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 12, 2023
Stephens thrilled for Gauff's success
Following her US Open win, Gauff also climbed to a career-high ranking of No 3 in the world.
With that ranking, Gauff became the new highest-ranked American female tennis player, replacing Jessica Pegula who held that status going into the US Open. After her US Open win, Gauff acknowledged she is well-aware there is now going to be more attention on her.
However, she feels ready for what is about to come. “I feel like this is a big achievement, but honestly, I feel like I've been so used to this since I was basically 15 years old in high school, doing online school, just used to it.
I mean, I'm sure it might be a much bigger scale now because of this achievement, but I'm ready. I mean, I embrace it. I know how to keep my peace but also embrace all of this around me,” Gauff said.