December 24, 2024
Coco Gauff battled past No.7 Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) in a 3-hour and 4-minute final to clinch the Billie Jean King Trophy and her ninth career Hologic WTA Tour singles title.
The 20-year-old American who was playing in her third consecutive WTA Finals appearance, defeated Zheng 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) in the longest final at the WTA Finals since time stats started being tracked in 2008.
“I want to congratulate Qinwen on an incredible match and tournament. You had a stellar season. Winning the gold medal and reaching so many finals. Hopefully we can play many more finals together. Congrats to your team too. You guys are very nice. It’s fun competition,” Coco Gauff after beating Qinwen Zheng at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Coco Gauff thanks her team and family after winning WTA Finals in Riyadh
“I’d to thank my team. It’s been a long season. I want to say thank you. This week has been so fun. Win or lose, I always have a good time with you guys. Thank you to my parents. My mom is here. My dad is watching at home.. my brother.. my grandparents. Thank you to the man above for allowing me to be here.”
With the 20-year-old Gauff and 22-year-old Zheng facing off in the championship match, Riyadh boasted the youngest combined age of the singles finalists at the WTA Finals since Maria Sharapova defeated Serena Williams in the 2004 final. Gauff is now the youngest WTA Finals titlist since 17-year-old Sharapova took the title 20 years ago.
By winning the Beijing title on hard court last month, Gauff became the first woman in the Open Era to win her first seven tour-level hard-court finals. Gauff has now extended her hard-court final record to 8-0, and she improves to 9-1 in tour-level finals overall.
Gauff will be rewarded with $4,805,000 for her week in Riyadh –- the largest payout at a Hologic WTA Tour event. The American has also clinched the season-ending World No.3 ranking for the second straight year.
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