Coco Gauff sent a heart-warming message to runner-up Jessica Pegula following the American’s defeat against Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final on Saturday.

Pegula was comfortably brushed aside by the Belarusian, who took home her second Grand Slam of the year with a classy performance on Arthur Ashe.

Sabalenka dropped just one set throughout the entire tournament, with Pegula having to settle for second place in her first-ever Grand Slam final.

But despite the heartbreak of losing in a home Slam final, Pegula has been praised for her showing in New York, with the 2023 US Open champion leading the charge.

During an emotional Instagram post, Pegula said: “Getting to reflect the last few days and just want to say thank you for all the support. What a crazy journey this is and continues to be…trust yourself and the work you do, promise it pays off.”

The 30-year-old’s post was met by a wave of congratulatory responses, with Gauff taking the time to write: “Amazing tournament,” accompanied by two red love heart emojis.

While Sabalenka is considered the deserved winner of the US Open title, Pegula did reflect positively on her run to the final, commenting after the match during her on-court interview: “It’s been an incredible month for me.

“I had a rough start to the year but to be able to turn it around, to be able to be standing here in my first Grand Slam final and coming off such a hot summer, I didn’t expect it so I’m just really grateful for the last few weeks of tennis and some incredible matches I’ve been able to put together.”

She then later told Sky Sports: “I am really grateful for the last few weeks of tennis and some incredible matches I have been able to put together.

“I wish she would have at least let me get one set. We had a tough match a few weeks ago, she is the best hard court player in the world so I knew it was going to be tough.”

With the last Slam of the year now out of the way, the top female tennis stars will head over to Asia for the final events of what’s been a gruelling 2024 season.

The action continues with the China Open later this month, with the season-ending WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia to come later in the year.