Coco Gauff Aces the US Open.

photo courtesy of Getty Images

Saturday, September 9th, Coco Gauff competed and won in the 55th annual US Open tournament. WGHS tennis team reacts.
​by Ane'J Beers

Saturday, September 9th, Coco Gauff competed in the 55th annual US Open tournament. This series is a big piece of the competitive tennis world, and this year, Coco Gauff gets to walk away knowing that she was victorious. She won her last match with the teeth-chattering score of 2-6, 6-3, and 6-2. (US Open)

Although Coco is relatively young, this win was not a shocker to the tennis world. She has been playing in the US Open since 2019, which would put her at 15 years old. Throughout the last 4 years, Coco has not dropped below 3rd place in the singles category, which really shows how strong of a tennis player she has always been. From 1999-2022 Serena Williams held the title for youngest American major winner, at 17, but because of Coco’s astonishing win, she now holds the title, at 19. (US Open) This title is a prestigious honor to have, and many wish to one day be on the level that Coco Gauff has risen. 

Although Coco is a tennis icon on the world level, she personally affects every tennis player, including our own tennis team here at Walnut Grove.  “Coco Gauff inspires me because she's so young, and being such a young age, it's really impressive when you look at all of the things she has done,” Arynn Clayton (9) elaborates. "It makes me realize I can do anything. If Coco can do anything, I can do anything. I’m gonna put in the work that Coco put’s in, and I’m gonna be great,” Clayton continues.

Rebecca Jenkins (12) adds to this, “She helped show me that age doesn’t and it can’t hold you back. Everything depends on how motivated you are and how strong your skills are. It definitely made me want to work harder and become great like her.” 

Walnut Grove Tennis prides themselves on their dedication and hard work. Although every game is different, I can speak for the rest of WG tennis when I say we have all had our very own “Coco Gauff” moment. “One time I was down 5-0, but then I came back and it was just a really awesome moment for me. All of my friends and family were lit, which kind of made me feel like a big time player,” Arynn Clayton (9) enlightened me.

​These moments are single handedly the most encouraging and exciting moments of tennis. These are the times that show you how hard work and motivation can really pay off, and make you a better player in the long run. 

Coco Gauff has made her way to the top, and she isn’t going to stop climbing anytime soon. I’m personally one of the millions who are ready to watch Coco climb up even higher, because she is going to make history in the tennis world, and she is going to do it soon. If you ever have the chance to see Coco in action, I recommend you serve it.