The 21-year-old described the nerve-racking moment she lost the first match point, saying, "Losing the first match point, I was ... felt like I was holding my breath the whole game." She explained she thought the ball was going out, but when it didn't, she knew she needed just one more opportunity.
"That first match point was crazy because she shanked it and I thought it was going out, so I kind of felt my heart rate spike up and kind of getting ready to celebrate, and the ball went in. I was like, 'Are you serious?' ... I don't know, I was just like 'give me one more chance. God, give me one more chance. I'll take advantage of it this time,' and I did," she said.
After her thrilling victory, Gauff wrote on Instagram, "I learned having doubt enter your head is impossible to escape, but not impossible to overcome." The second-ranked player, who also won the 2023 U.S. Open final, admitted she still has self-doubt despite her wins, which she said she tries to talk openly about.
"I realize that I just try to redirect those into positive thoughts, even if you don't truly believe them. But eventually, when those moments are tough and you don't know your back is against the wall, you don't know where to lean on, you try to lean on the positivity and the belief," Gauff said. "I think that's what carried me through that match and honestly throughout the whole tournament."
It's the second Grand Slam for the young American, who said she's realized that she is where she belongs. "As I got older and realized like I worked so hard off the court and on the court to be where I belong, and there's nothing easy. I had to go out and win seven matches like everyone else does. ... Especially having consistent results, I think I prove that more and more each tournament," she said.
This latest victory comes as Gauff continues to make waves both on and off the court through her philanthropic efforts. Earlier this year, the tennis champion made headlines for becoming one of the youngest major gift donors in the United Negro College Fund's 80-year history with a groundbreaking $100,000 donation to support HBCU student-athletes who play competitive tennis.
