Coco Gauff Wins WTA Finals, Becomes Youngest Winner Since 2004
Coco Gauff, 20, won the WTA Finals on Saturday, defeating China’s Zheng Qinwen in three sets. Gauff lost the first set, 3-6, but then won the next two, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2), becoming the youngest winner of the event since Maria Sharapova in 2004.
Gauff went undefeated in the round-robin tournament, beating top players including Jessica Pegula, Iga Swiatek, Barbora Krej
Ãková, and Aryna Sabalenka. Prior to the tournament, Gauff expressed concerns about playing in Saudi Arabia, citing the country’s treatment of women and the LGBTQ community.
Despite her reservations, Gauff spoke to Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, the 11th Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the U.S., about the treatment of women in the country. She also spoke to other Saudi women and called for more equality and human rights improvements.
Gauff’s win completes her 2024 season, which included several major semifinal losses, but also a first-time doubles major win at the French Open. She finished the season as the world’s third-ranked player in singles.
Gauff said she believes sports can bring about change and open doors to people. She is hopeful that the WTA’s presence in Saudi Arabia will help introduce more equality and human rights improvements to the country.
