Coco Gauff's victory at the US Open 2023 drove her fans and many of her colleagues crazy, who rejoiced at the American tennis player's Slam triumph in front of their own crowd. Former WTA no.1 and two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka complimented the young American teenager via an Instagram story.
The Japanese woman, who was present in the stands among the crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, shared among her stories a photo of Coco Gauff lifting the US Open trophy, with emoticons: a heart and a happy crying face, tagging Coco.
Here's the picture: Osaka had also recently spoken about Gauff in an interview, saying: "I don't know if I would be bold enough to say I mentored her but I'm always really proud of everything that she does. She seems like such a good person.
Just everything that she's doing and speaking out about so many different topics. I think it's something that I'd love to have my kid to look up to her as a role model."
Coco Gauff analyzed the US Open final at the press conference
At the press conference, the American tennis player analyzed her victory in the US Open 2023 final against Aryna Sabalenka, by saying: "Nervous? There is nothing more dramatic right now, today I faced this match as if it were any challenge but honestly I wasn't nervous at first.
I knew I had to behave like this and it was difficult, but I am very happy with this result. When did I change? After the Roland Garros I think a lot of things changed, there in the final I felt a lot of pressure and I understood that I had to reset.
Losing at Wimbledon was tough, I thought I could do better but today I just played my best tennis. She is a strong and powerful tennis player, she puts you on the defensive and she doesn't always. At one point I made a great point with a backhand pass, the crowd was enthusiastic and I had the feeling that I could really win." Then the tennis player continued: "When did I understand that I could win? Until last night I didn't think about it, then I imagined what would happen with a victory and perhaps let's say that I wanted it too much.
Last night I called my boyfriend and we talked talking until I slept, I went to sleep at one. When I lost the first set I just told myself to continue playing as I knew how, then it's crazy because until match point I didn't have any real thoughts but I just worked on playing.
The first time I imagined winning a Slam I was 8 years old, it was when I came here to watch matches and I saw all the best competing on this very court. At 13-14 years old I was already playing juniors and I had real visions of my victory.
I don't know if there are videos, but if you see at the Roland Garros I was watching Iga Swiatek lift the trophy the whole time, I couldn't take my eyes off her and I wanted to feel like her. ight now I feel happy and relieved, but happier because honestly I was achieving this for myself and not for others."
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