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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Patrick Andres

Sports Figures React to Coco Gauff’s U.S. Open Championship

Coco Gauff Tennis Aryna Sabalenka Emmanuel Acho James Blake Noah Lyles Rod Laver

It was a coronation years in the making.

Ever since her surprise run to the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2019 as a 15-year-old, American tennis phenom Coco Gauff has been a rising star. On Saturday, she delivered on that promise, topping Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, to win the U.S. Open title.

Gauff’s first major championship prompted an outpouring of support from a variety of athletes, spanning tennis greats who’ve watched her since the beginning to luminaries across several different disciplines.

Fellow American Jessica Pegula, a longtime Gauff doubles partner, congratulated her friend and countrywoman on a momentous victory.

Sloane Stephens, an American who Gauff beat en route to the French Open final in 2022, also sent her best.

Hall of Fame Lakers guard Magic Johnson congratulated the whole Gauff family.

Noah Lyles, another American athlete putting together a stellar pre-Olympic year, called Gauff’s win “amazing.”

Fox Sports analyst and former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho, like many, posted video of Gauff at the U.S. Open as a young girl.

Australian tennis legend Rod Laver, the most recent man to win all four majors in one year, saluted the young champion.

American Chris Eubanks, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist this season, told Gauff to “talk [her] talk.”

James Blake, another American tennis stalwart, was also complimentary.

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