In a three-set battle at the WTA Finals, 20-year-old American Coco Gauff defeated China’s Zheng Qinwen to claim the prestigious year-end title and a record-breaking $4.805 million in prize money.
Gauff fought back from a set down, clinching a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 victory in the championship match held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The win makes Gauff the youngest player to lift the WTA Finals trophy since Maria Sharapova two decades ago.
The massive $4.805 million payday eclipses the previous record set by Ashleigh Barty, who earned $4.42 million for winning the 2019 WTA Finals in Shenzhen, China. Zheng collected $2.305 million as the runner-up.
“It’s my first time here in Saudi Arabia, and I’ve had a great time,” Gauff said in her post-match interview. “Much more fun than I thought it was going to be.”
The 20-year-old American had to fight back from a set down, overcoming a 5-3 deficit in the deciding third-set tiebreaker to clinch the title. She had defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Swiatek en route to the final. This victory marks Gauff’s third tournament win of the 2024 season, bringing her total prize money earnings for the year to a staggering $9.35 million.
Zheng, the 22-year-old seventh seed from China, was attempting to become the first Asian player to win the prestigious WTA Finals.
Despite the defeat, Zheng can take pride in her runner-up finish, which represents the best result by an Asian player in the history of the WTA Finals. Her impressive performance throughout the tournament has further cemented her status as one of the rising stars in women’s tennis.
For Gauff, this triumph marks a significant milestone in her burgeoning career. At just 20 years old, she becomes the youngest American to win the WTA Finals since Serena Williams in 2001, solidifying her position as one of the dominant forces in the women’s game.
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