Coco Gauff won the WTA Finals this past Tuesday, becoming the youngest to ever do so at 20 years old. With another title added to her collection, the rising star also pocketed a record $4,805,000 in prize money following the tournament. After a hard-fought victory over China’s Qinwen Zheng (3-6, 6-4, 7-6), Gauff finished her 2024 campaign in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ranking third in the world.
On the day of the finals, Togethxr hosted a New York brunch and watch party in partnership with Black Girls Tennis Club, which was co-founded by Hampton University alum Virginia Thornton in 2022. Throughout the three-hour-long match, attendees were on the edge of their seats, rooting for Gauff till the end and providing much-needed support from back home in the U.S.
Gauff took the world by storm in her first professional match at age 14 in 2018 and has continued to stack up on career milestones and accolades.
“Coco’s a fighter. You see it in every match she plays, win or lose,” said Hampton women’s tennis player Serena Bryan, a first-year from Barbados, “She has done a phenomenal job. I’d like to fight [like her] at all times, regardless of the score, just trying to find ways to stay in the match.”
Jewel Greene, Bryan’s teammate, attended the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in France and said Gauff, who trained at the academy, had quite the impact on her.
“Coco came a lot to support us and train,” said Greene, “I think seeing her on the court practicing pushed me to be where I am now [with] a D-I scholarship. If I didn't see her out there, I think my motivation for the sport would've been much different.”
Referencing Gauff’s brand deals and increasing social media presence, Greene is proud to see the New Balance athlete has a lot going for her off the court, jokingly looking forward to a red-carpet appearance sometime soon.
“She’s doing a lot for herself creating her own person, building her own brand,” said Greene, “She's going to be bigger than just tennis in itself.”
Jeremiah Williams, a Saber Sports TV anchor, has also enjoyed following Gauff’s success.
“When Coco Gauff continues to shine bright in the tennis world [on] and off the court, it’s amazing. It’s very positive and good to see," Williams said.
Williams believed Gauff provides hope for other young Black women in tennis, commending her willingness to give back and pour into the community. In pursuit of a master’s degree in sports administration, he foretells Gauff’s future greatness.
“It’s dope seeing her, I like watching her play,” said Williams, “She’s very young, so I definitely expect more from her as she gets older and gets more experience.”
Sobenna Egwuekwe, a junior film studies major, recalls her tennis days and witnessing Gauff, just three months older, compete at a young age.
“Growing up, Coco was already making waves. Even though she’s obviously way out of my league on the court, I remember when we were maybe 12, and she was playing in the 18-and-under category, absolutely kicking butt," Egwuekwe said, "She played a tournament in Memphis and my coach had all of us come out to watch her; I cherish that moment so much seeing how far she’s come.”
Though Egwuekwe no longer plays competitively, she says Gauff remains an inspiration to her and also young Black girls everywhere.
“Serena Williams set such a monumental example for Black kids everywhere for so long, and now Coco is filling that space,” she said, “At only 20 [she] is already breaking records and being that powerful image in the spotlight for young Black girls.”
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