Coco Gauff beat her good friend Jessica Pegula to win the Cincinnati Open, claiming her 12th career title. The world No. 4 needed little time in Sunday's final, storming to a 6-2 6-4 victory to take the trophy and around £795k ($1.085million) in prize money.
Classy tribute to her friend
Gauff and Pegula spent years playing doubles together, claiming five titles as a team and reaching No. 1 in the doubles rankings. The 22-year-old sent a special message to her friend and rival after beating her in the final.
“Where is she?” Gauff said at the start of her victory speech, looking for Pegula so she could address the world No. 3 directly. “Oh, right here! Sorry,” she added, realising the runner-up was standing right by her.
“First, I want to congratulate Jess. You’re an incredible player, that goes without saying, and always playing you is always tough. I think today, this was, I don’t know, all the balls were going in on my side today!”
Gratitude for early support
“But I don’t like seeing you on the other side of the court, but I like playing with you. But yeah, I just wanted to say congratulations. You’re an incredible person and player, and congrats to your team. You guys are also incredible people. One of the best teams on tour.”
Gauff also thanked Pegula for welcoming her to the tennis tour when she enjoyed her breakthrough as a 15-year-old in 2019. She continued: “Yeah, also just like to thank Jess.
“When I first came on tour, she was one of the few players that was nice to me, and seriously, that’s always stuck a long way with me and my family. I have so much respect for you, so it’s an honour to share the court with you once again. Hopefully we can run it back a couple times.”
Pegula's response and US Open stakes
Pegula also sent a sweet message to the newly-crowned champion during her own runner-up speech. “First, I wanna say congrats to Coco and her team,” the 32-year-old said.
“Gosh, you were like a backboard today. It was not fun to play against! I didn’t even think I played bad, I just think you played a really, really high level, so congrats. Amazing momentum headed into the US Open.”
“And obviously, I mean, we know each other so well, and I have so much respect for you, so I just enjoy being able to share the court, practice with you, be at these tournaments with you. When you first came on tour, it’s been a wild ride, at least for the amount that I’ve seen you. So it’s amazing. Congrats to you and your team, and all the best going forward.”
Both women will now look ahead to the US Open, where they also have a shot at becoming No. 1 by the end of the tournament. Gauff, Pegula, and current world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka can secure the top spot by winning the title, but they would also need Elena Rybakina to lose before the semi-finals, otherwise she will be the new No. 1.
