Spike Lee, Kevin Durant and Lil’ Wayne were just a few of the big names on hand during the 2023 U.S. Open as Coco Gauff ascended to the top of the tennis world. On Saturday, September 9, the 19-year-old Atlanta native captured the last two sets of an intense showdown with Aryna Sabalenka to win her first U.S. Open title. By doing so, she becomes the youngest woman to win the title since Serena Williams won the tournament at 17 years old in 1999.
As Gauff celebrated with her parents, congratulatory messages poured in from around the world, including the White House. President Joe Biden issued the 19-year-old tennis champion a celebratory message through X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Congrats to U.S. Open Champion Coco Gauff. You electrified Arthur Ashe stadium and the entire nation – the first of more to come and proof that anything is possible if you never give up and always believe,” the President wrote.
With the win, Gauff advances three spots in the WTA Rankings to claim the third spot. She now stands alone as the only player under 20 years old in the top 30.
