Coco Gauff Claims First WTA Masters Title in Riyadh
American tennis star Coco Gauff, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, has made history by winning her first WTA Masters title at the age of 20. In a thrilling final held in Riyadh, Gauff triumphed over China's Zheng Qinwen, ranked No. 7, with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/2). The match, which lasted over three hours, showcased Gauff's resilience and skill, particularly after she had previously dominated world No. 2 Iga Swiatek and No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in earlier rounds.
This victory marks Gauff as the youngest winner of the tournament since Maria Sharapova in 2004, solidifying her status as a rising star in women's tennis. The WTA Masters, held for the first time in Riyadh, has been a significant event since its inception in 1972. Gauff's win not only adds an impressive title to her career but also comes with a record prize of $4.8 million, surpassing the $4.4 million awarded to the 2019 champion, Ashleigh Barty.
Despite her success, Gauff had expressed initial reservations about competing in Saudi Arabia due to concerns over human rights violations in the conservative kingdom. Nevertheless, her victory is a significant milestone for both her career and the tournament's history, as Zheng Qinwen became the first Chinese finalist at the WTA Masters since Li Na in 2013, though she fell short of becoming the first Asian champion.
