Coco Gauff: Video Shows the Moment Tennis Star Knelt to Pray After Winning US Open

Coco Gauff: Video Shows the Moment Tennis Star Knelt to Pray After Winning US Open

Babajide Orevba
updated at September 21, 2023 at 12:33 PM
  • Coco Gauff was captured praying shortly after she defeated Aryna Sabalenka to claim the US Open title
  • The 19-year-old American tennis superstar went home with a cash prize of $3 million
  • About 24,000 fans witnessed the occasion, cheering her to victory inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium

Shortly after defeating Aryna Sabalenka to win the 2023 US Open, cameras captured the moment Coco Gauff went on her knees to pray.

The American teenager was the star in the final, in which she made an incredible comeback to win the title with a 2-6 6-3 6-2 victory at a delirious Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Victory in the final saw her rise in the latest rankings to third, but she claimed that winning her first major title at home was more important.

Coco Gauff, Tennis, US Open, Aryna Sabalenka
Coco Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka to win the 2023 US Open. Photo: Tim Clayton
Source: Getty Images

About 24,000 fans witnessed the occasion, cheering her to victory in what could be described as the greatest game of her career.

She sealed the win following a backhand effort and then went down on the court with her hands covering her face. She said, via the BBC:

“I feel like I'm in a little bit of shock at the moment.
"Honestly [I was thinking] nothing. The whole time, I was saying to myself, 'Oh my goodness, how is this real?'"

Shortly after, the 19-year-old walked to a seat by the sidelines and then went on her knees to pray, leaving fans amazed. The clip of the incident has since gone viral on the internet, and a fan said:

“I will not be ashamed of the gospel.”

Another added:

“That look to me like a grateful heart to The Living Powerful GOD for the ability and allowing her to have that great talent. Heathen tv channels just can’t seem to accept that. God bless her even more.”

Coco Gauff pockets $3million

Sports Brief earlier reported that Gauff gave fans some perspective on how young she was after she was asked what she planned to do with her new-found fortune after becoming a Grand Slam champion.

Her win meant she became the first American teenager to win the Grand Slam since Serena Williams, who did so back in 1999.

Thanks to the win, Gauff is set to pocket a staggering $3 million [£2.37 million] in prize money.

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Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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