Coco Gauff made history this weekend by winning the WTA Finals for the first time in her career. The 20-year-old American defeated Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in a thrilling final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Gauff came from behind in the final set, recovering from 2-0 and 5-3 down, and saved two match points before winning the set in a tiebreaker. She won the match 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) after a tough three-hour battle.

Gauff’s victory was particularly impressive given the tough competition she faced on her way to the final. She had already beaten the world’s top two players, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, in earlier rounds. Zheng Qinwen, who was also playing in her first WTA Finals, had a standout season herself, reaching her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open and winning an Olympic gold medal for China.

This victory in Riyadh adds another major title to Gauff’s growing list of accomplishments. Over the course of her career, she has now won titles at every level of the WTA Tour, from WTA 250s to WTA 1000 events. Her most notable win remains her US Open title in 2023, but winning the WTA Finals shows her continued growth as a top player in the sport.

Despite some ups and downs this season, including a tough loss in Cincinnati and criticism from the media, Gauff turned it around and ended the year with a big win. Reflecting on her journey, Gauff mentioned how motivation from critics and negative comments only fueled her drive to succeed. She is known for using her challenges as a source of energy, which has helped her thrive on the court.

In addition to the glory of winning the WTA Finals, Gauff also earned a record $4.805 million in prize money for her efforts, further cementing her place as one of the top players in the sport.