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Coco Gauff opened the 2024 season with the title in Auckland.
And whereas there have been ups-and-downs alongside the best way, she completed the season simply as she began, with another victory, by profitable the WTA Finals on the year-end occasion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.
It was a statement-making run for Gauff all through the week, as she defeated the world’s high two ranked gamers, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, within the semifinals and in group play, respectively. Gauff then recorded a gutsy comeback efficiency towards reigning Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen within the over-three-hour ultimate for a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) win.
Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, trailed 5-3 within the decider and was two factors away from being the runner-up earlier than she stormed again. She gained the primary six factors of the tiebreak after which cemented her champion standing on her third match level. It was the longest title match in WTA Finals historical past — as evident by Gauff’s response at its conclusion:
MAMBA MENTALITY ON FULL DISPLAY! 🐍👊@CocoGauff pulls off an epic comeback to defeat Zheng in a 3 set thriller and captures her first WTA Finals title! #WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/tkNWR5lx5P
— wta (@WTA) November 9, 2024
“On the finish of the match, after I fell on the ground, I did not suppose I used to be going to try this,” Gauff later stated. “I type of made a promise to myself that I’ll solely save that for Grand Slams, however actually, the best way the match went, I used to be like, ‘I am simply drained. I simply wish to lay on the bottom.'”
Gauff earned a record-setting $4.8 million for profitable the title — the biggest paycheck for a WTA occasion in historical past — and she or he has now topped the $20 million mark in profession earnings. She later advised reporters she “knew it was some cash” for profitable the WTA Finals however did not know particularly how a lot. “That is some huge cash,” she stated earlier than admitting she had no concept what she would do with it.
Gauff grew to become the primary American to win since Serena Williams in 2014, and the youngest participant to hoist the trophy since Maria Sharapova in 2004, the 12 months Gauff was born. In line with the WTA, she joins solely Swiatek as energetic gamers underneath 30 years outdated to have gained a WTA title at each stage. Fairly spectacular for somebody simply out of her teen years, and contemplating many stated she was having a down 12 months.
“lol secure to say I beat the unhealthy season allegations,” Gauff wrote on X.
Having famously thanked her haters throughout her instantly viral on-court speech in New York final 12 months, Gauff had a unique mentality on Saturday and as an alternative she thanked her followers on social media for the unwavering help after the win.
muah 💋💜 Additionally, I do know are inclined to deal with “doubters/haters” however this one is admittedly for all of my supporters! Ya’ll held it down for me win or lose! I thanks for that. I see you and I admire you. And I do know a few of you’re a little bit petty like me so it does really feel good to… pic.twitter.com/z3rRFCsFYl
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) November 10, 2024
Gauff, who won’t be part of the U.S. group on the Billie Jean King Cup this week, will now get her (ever-so-brief) offseason began on the Camp Flog Gnaw music pageant in Los Angeles. And whereas there might be hundreds of 20-year-olds on the pageant, she’s going to possible be one of many only a few who will be named-dropped by Tyler, the Creator throughout his set.
Here is what else you might need missed from the WTA Finals and across the tennis world final week:
Dabrowski and Routliffe’s good season finale
The doubles ultimate in Riyadh was as compelling as singles, that includes two groups who had gone undefeated in group play. Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova, the reigning Wimbledon champions, had been trying to shut out their debut season along with one other spectacular trophy — however Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe, who had misplaced within the Wimbledon ultimate, had different plans.
Trying to avenge the loss on the All England Membership, in addition to safe their second-biggest title collectively after profitable the 2023 US Open, Dabrowski of Canada and Routliffe of New Zealand fought exhausting to take the opening set, after which took management at 3-all within the second set for a 7-5, 6-3 victory.
“I feel when it comes all the way down to these large moments, the massive factor for us was we simply needed to go and take it, and so they weren’t gonna give it to us,” Routliffe stated later. “So we tried to type of pep speak ourselves to go for our photographs and be extra aggressive in these large moments. I feel that is most likely what the difference-maker was. We stayed aggressive, we stayed dedicated, and we supported one another in these large moments.”
A MAGICAL WEEK IN RIYADH 🤩✨
Gabriela Dabrowski and @erinroutliffe go undefeated as they beat Siniakova/Townsend 7-5, 6-3 to carry the trophy!#WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/9GJsG443Ab
— wta (@WTA) November 9, 2024
Whereas their payday wasn’t fairly as giant as Gauff’s record-setting quantity, the duo nonetheless walked away with $1.125 million, or $562,500 every — a considerable improve from the prize cash for doubles at any of the Slam occasions.
“We’re tremendous grateful for the prize cash right here,” Routliffe stated. “It is like an enormous icing on the cake to what’s been a tremendous week for us. We make good cash through the 12 months. I am not saying we do not, however that is type of a life-changing quantity.”
Well worth the wait
When qualifying started on the Belgrade Open on Nov. 2, it had been 5 years since Denis Shapovalov gained his solely ATP title, and over two years since he had even reached a ultimate. He was hampered by damage for the latter a part of 2023, and spent many of the 2024 season outdoors the highest 100, so Shapovalov was hardly a favourite, and even wanted to return by qualifying for entry.
However as we have seen time and time once more, one week can change all the pieces in tennis, and the 25-year-old Canadian appeared to save lots of his greatest for his final ATP event of the season.
In Belgrade, Shapovalov gained seven matches in eight days — and dropped only one set — together with a 6-4, 6-4 victory within the ultimate on Saturday towards Serbian native and crowd favourite Hamad Medjedovic. Shapovalov wanted simply 77 minutes to assert the trophy, recording 13 aces and profitable 82% of his first-serve factors on the match. When Medjedovic’s ultimate ball went lengthy, Shapovalov fell to the ground in celebration.
“It has been an excellent season for me, simply been wholesome and again on courtroom,” Shapovalov stated later. “It takes time to climb again up the rankings. Per week like this can assist rather a lot.”
Shapovalov moved up 22 rankings spots, to No. 56, following his week, and obtained the trophy from none apart from the King of Serbian tennis himself, Novak Djokovic. Shapovalov had joked earlier within the week that he by no means realized he had followers in Serbia as a result of “I lose to Novak each time” — and the 2 had been all smiles on Saturday on courtroom.
Stuff you like to see 😍@denis_shapo receives his Belgrade trophy from none apart from Novak Djokovic! pic.twitter.com/hyu9Izgffv
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 9, 2024
Bonzi’s dream week
Shapovalov wasn’t the one qualifier to make a miraculous run to the title final week.
Benjamin Bonzi, a 28-year-old Frenchman, gained the primary ATP trophy of his profession on residence soil on the Moselle Open in Metz on Saturday behind a 7-6 (6), 6-4 victory over Cameron Norrie within the ultimate. However what makes it much more inconceivable is that Bonzi hadn’t gained a tour-level match all 12 months earlier than the event bought underway.
Whereas Bonzi had discovered success in 2024 in Challenger occasions, he didn’t advance out of qualifying in many of the ATP tournaments he tried to enter, and was 0-6 in fundamental draw play in these he was capable of take part. To name him an unlikely champion is likely to be the understatement of the 12 months.
His thrilled response on the finish actually says all of it.
“I’m getting back from very distant this 12 months. It was a really powerful season,” Bonzi advised the gang shortly after. “I used to be not anticipating per week like that. That is loopy to complete the 12 months like this.”
Ranked No. 124 at the beginning of the event, Bonzi is now No. 78.
Sabalenka ends 12 months on high
Sabalenka’s 12 months did not end as she hoped, with the WTA Finals crown, however her semifinal outcome on the occasion was nonetheless adequate for her to stroll away with the year-end No. 1 rating for the primary time in her profession. She had come near attaining the milestone in 2023 however Swiatek narrowly edged her out. Swiatek now ends 2024 because the No. 2.
Sabalenka, who gained two main titles this season, is the sixteenth participant in WTA historical past to finish the 12 months within the high spot. It additionally marks her fifth consecutive 12 months of ending the season within the high 10 — one of the best streak amongst energetic gamers. In a video posted by the WTA of Sabalenka holding the No. 1 trophy, she stated she was “tremendous excited and blissful” in regards to the achievement.
“I imply, I simply must get pleasure from that, proper?,” she added with a smile.
Siniakova completed the 12 months because the World No. 1 doubles participant for the fourth(!) time in her profession following a season that noticed her win two main trophies — with two completely different companions — in addition to three different WTA titles and Olympic gold in combined doubles. The 28-year-old Siniakova now trails solely Martina Navratilova, who did it 5 instances, for essentially the most seasons within the high spot.
ATP Finals will get underway
The 2024 ATP Finals began on Sunday in Turin, Italy, with the highest eight males’s singles gamers and the highest eight doubles groups battling for the season’s ultimate trophies. Just like the WTA Finals final week, the festivities kicked off with entertaining social media movies — together with an endearing joint interview with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and one wherein Taylor Fritz explains his recent hair color choices. Nevertheless it was what occurred through the first day of competitors that basically bought everybody speaking.
Whereas enjoying Fritz on Sunday of their first match of spherical robin-style group play, Daniil Medvedev struggled along with his feelings and all however melted down. After smashing his racket following three consecutive double faults to lose the tightly contested opening set, Medvedev was given a warning by the chair umpire.
Not the way you wish to finish the set 😳#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/1VuJGs1QIh
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 10, 2024
And it solely bought worse from there. After a mishit lob from Fritz landed on the baseline for Fritz to take a 4-2 lead within the second set, Medvedev was issued some extent penalty after he threw his racket after which hit an on-court microphone. Clearly angered, he then continued to toss his racket erratically and even held it backwards — with the grip dealing with out — whereas ready for Fritz’s serve.
“I used to be like, ‘No matter, I misplaced the match. I do not care,'” Medvedev later stated.
Fritz closed out the match quickly after 6-4, 6-3, and he later stated he compelled himself to remain centered on his personal recreation and wasn’t affected by Medvedev’s antics. “I used to be simply laughing,” Fritz stated. “I feel he is actually humorous, to be trustworthy.”
Medvedev, who has been vocal in regards to the balls at present used on tour, advised reporters after the match he wasn’t stunned by the match’s consequence and admitted he has not been having fun with himself on courtroom as of late.
“The balls make it so that everybody can do it now, so under no circumstances stunned,” Medvedev stated. “I’ve this day-after-day for like two, three years. Each apply is a wrestle. Each match is a wrestle. I used to be holding for a very long time. Now I really feel zero pleasure of being on the courtroom. So no shock in any respect in regards to the match as we speak.”
Tiafoe and pals
Whereas Frances Tiafoe did not make the year-end event in Turin, he nonetheless might need been the ATP’s large winner on Sunday. Not solely did Tiafoe and his girlfriend (and former NCAA doubles champion) Ayan Broomfield get to observe the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the Denver Broncos in epic trend from the comforts of a collection, they then bought to have fun the victory with famous tennis followers Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. Who wants the ATP Finals, proper?
