It was only natural that Coco Gauff's phone was going to blow up with text messages and queuing family members on FaceTime after winning the 2023 Citi Open.
Gauff defeated Greece's top-ranked player Maria Sakkari 6-2, 6-3 to win the biggest title of her young career in Washington. She did not drop a set all week and continued to solidify her status as the brightest teenager on the WTA Tour.
Gauff was gracious to her beaten opponent during the trophy presentation and also acknowledged that Sakkari was one of the players she's looked onto on Tour and one who made her transition to the senior level a lot more welcoming when she called for assistance.
Gauff's parents and her brothers were not in attendance, but the champion took time to thank them during her victory speech and explained that they were actually going to their cousin's birthday party in New Orleans, but it soon became evident that they were following events in DC when they phoned Gauff while she was in the press room.
"That's the first time he's called me in, like, two months, I'm not even kidding. I'm usually the one calling him."
Gauff told her brother she would be calling him later and hang up before her dad was next in line among the incoming calls. Nevertheless, Gauff acknowledged her parents during her speech in the Stadium.
"To my parents, my mum and my Dad, they are the reason why I play tennis. The reason why Kinda somewhat have a good personality. My brothers are at home, they are actually in New Orleans going to my cousin's birthday party!"
The 19-year-old traveled to Montreal overnight where she is scheduled to appear at the Canadian Open this week as she steps up her efforts for the year's final major where the young American will be ranked among the contenders to lift their first Grand Slam singles title.
Also to note, this was Gauff's first tournament in the presence of Brad Gilbert in her coaching team. And it is expected the celebrated coach will continue to lead Gauff in the upcoming tournaments as part of the US Open summer series.
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