Tennis: the United States under the spell of rising star Coco Gauff

She was already in the spotlight but her notoriety has just exploded, after her victory at 19 years old in the final of the US Open, Saturday, September 9. Coco Gauff assures her, she is ready to handle this new level of pressure.

American tennis player Coco Gauff after her victory in the final of the US Open, Saturday, September 9, 2023 in New York. AP - Frank Franklin II

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With our correspondent in the United States, David Thomson

An instant global celebrity, and an avalanche of reactions from other world celebrities. This is enough to put pressure on an athlete barely 19 years old.

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But I know how to keep my head on my shoulders " says Coco Gauff after her victory in the final of the US Open against the world number 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

At the same time, congratulatory messages poured in. The biggest names in politics, tennis and the arts are jostling on social networks.

Barack and Michele Obama express their admiration. "The American nation is electrified and proud," Biden wrote. "American tennis has a bright future ahead of it," Clinton said.

Coco Gauff in tears after defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the women's singles final of the US Open, September 9, 2023, in New York. AP - Manu Fernandez

Coco Gauff is the first woman of her age to win the US Open since her elder Serena Williams, who won it in 1999 at age 17. And the young African-American obviously does not escape the comparison.

In accepting her $3 million victory check, Gauff thanked former world No. 1 Billie Jean King for fighting for equal pay with men's tennis.

Between training and media solicitations, Coco Gauch's head will work like a spinner, warns the French Marion Bartoli, who won Winbledon in 2013.

But Coco Gauch has been in the spotlight since her first Winbledon at the age of 15. She is ready to handle all this, confirms her coach. And it will only get better, he says.

" READ ALSO Tennis: Gauff beats Sabalenka at the US Open and wins his first Grand Slam tournament

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