Yet, resilience has been the backbone of her young career, emerging when all else has faltered – a grit that has been epitomized this week in Riyadh.

In one of the biggest finals of her career, the American spent nearly three hours on court fighting to stay alive against the biggest breakout star of 2024.

Digging deep when it mattered, she rallied to topple Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) to clinch her first WTA Finals title.

What Coco Gauff was telling herself during her WTA Finals win

At just 20 years old, Gauff becomes the youngest champion of the WTA Finals since a 17-year-old Maria Sharapova in 2004.

In an odds-defying week Gauff defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka and defending champion Iga Swiatek.

Zheng looked poised to pick up another title after a formidable year of growth on the WTA Tour.

With her third career title and ninth overall, her 9-1 record in finals speaks volumes about her incredible resilience under pressure.

Explaining what she kept having to remind herself throughout the match, Gauff told Sky Sports: “It was a really great match. Qinwen played some unbelievable tennis. I was just trying my best to hang in there and I never gave up.

“I was just telling myself, ‘It’s another point, another chance’. I’ve been in situations like this in the past and have been able to turn it around… and was able to do it again.”

Is Coco Gauff’s resilience her defining quality?

Propelled to stardom at an early age, Gauff has been forced to handle immense pressure.

In doing so, she has consistently shown a maturity far beyond her years, often making people forget she’s still just 20.

This week, Gauff demonstrated that winning isn’t always about playing flawless tennis; it’s about tenacity and adaptability, even on days when things aren’t going perfectly.

Despite the challenges, she’s also been strategic, blending power with intelligent shot choices throughout the tournament.

Her resilience is what makes her both a fan favorite and a formidable competitor on the tour.

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