Coco Gauff delivered one of her most impressive performances to capture her first WTA Finals title in a thrilling battle against Zheng Qinwen, overcoming significant challenges to triumph 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2). This win marks a major milestone for the 20-year-old American, who has consistently shown resilience in high-stakes moments throughout her career. The match, a grueling contest lasting nearly three hours, pushed Gauff to her limits as she fought to stay in contention against an opponent playing some of the best tennis of her life.
Zheng, known for her powerful serve, heavy topspin forehand, and relentless offensive approach, had controlled much of the match. She took the first set and established a 6-3, 3-1 lead, while Gauff struggled to find consistency with her backhand. However, showing her trademark grit, Gauff fought back by stepping closer to the baseline and taking the initiative in the rallies. Her aggression paid off as she broke Zheng’s serve multiple times to even the match. Still, Zheng soon regained her momentum, establishing a 5-3 lead in the final set and coming within one game of victory.
Facing a 5-3 deficit, Gauff tapped into her resilience and steely determination. She tightened her game, refusing to give up a single point without a fight, and displayed impressive depth and precision with her forehand, which has sometimes been a point of inconsistency in her play. Her relentless pursuit of each ball forced the match into a tiebreak, where she delivered an emphatic performance to clinch the title.
This WTA Finals victory makes Gauff the youngest champion of the tournament since Maria Sharapova’s win in 2004. She defeated two of the game’s top players Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiateken route to the final, showcasing her readiness to compete at the highest level. Her career record in finals, now standing at 9-1, reflects her remarkable composure and effectiveness in pressure-filled moments. This victory also represents Gauff’s third title of the season and ninth overall.
Notably, Gauff’s week in Saudi Arabia yielded a historic payout, with her $4.8 million prize marking the largest ever awarded in women’s sports and surpassing any previous tournament prize, male or female, in a sanctioned tennis event. Only Jannik Sinner, who earned $6 million in a Saudi exhibition event, has received a higher payout in tennis. This monumental prize underscores the increasing financial rewards available in professional sports, and it cements Gauff’s status as one of the most bankable talents in tennis.
Zheng, who has had a breakthrough year, was a formidable opponent throughout. The 22-year-old Chinese player has built her success on the back of an exceptional serve and an aggressive playing style, traits that were on full display in her WTA Finals campaign. Against Gauff, Zheng’s patience and discipline helped her control the baseline exchanges, and she looked on course to capture the title until Gauff mounted her resilient comeback.
Gauff’s journey to this point has been anything but smooth, as she has faced challenges with her forehand and serve throughout the season. She has changed coaches and faced significant scrutiny over her technical adjustments, which added to the mental and physical demands of her schedule. Nevertheless, she finished the year playing some of the best tennis of her career. Her forehand, often a point of vulnerability, held up remarkably well against the power of some of the sport’s heaviest hitters, helping her sustain aggressive play and build confidence in her strokes.
Looking ahead, Gauff appears well-positioned for more significant achievements. She has already demonstrated the mental toughness and technical skills needed to compete against the best players in the world, and this WTA Finals win solidifies her standing as a major contender on the tour. With the momentum of this breakthrough season, Gauff heads into 2025 with ample confidence, eager to add more prestigious titles to her growing resume.
In other tennis news, Cameron Norrie faced a challenging loss to France’s Benjamin Bonzi in the final of the Metz ATP 250 event. Norrie fought hard but struggled to capitalize on his break point opportunities, converting only one of 14, including 10 missed chances at a crucial 4-4 moment in the first set. The British No. 2 has had a difficult return to competition following a three-month layoff due to a forearm injury, which caused him to slip out of the top 50. Despite the frustration of this latest loss, Norrie can take positives from his performance in Metz, where he reached his 15th career ATP final. His four wins this week suggest he is well on his way to re-establishing himself as a top player heading into the new season.
Both Gauff and Norrie’s stories highlight the resilience and drive required at the highest levels of tennis. For Gauff, the year-end WTA Finals title marks another step in her ascent, and she now looks poised to contend for even greater accomplishments in the years ahead.
