For someone so young Coco Gauff has a remarkable knack for striking the right tone at the right time. But looking back on the victory ceremony after her come-from-behind US Open final win over Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday, we should have known Gauff had one more score to settle when she demanded the microphone from emcee Mary Jo Fernandez.
After giving thanks to God (“I’m so blessed in this life”) and her hard-working parents (“You believed in me from the beginning”), Gauff smoothed down her hair and moved on to thank her detractors. “I tried my best to carry this with grace,” she said, her sharpened breathing hinting at what was to come. “Honestly, to those who thought you were putting water on my fire, you were really adding gas to it – and now I’m really burning so bright right now.”
