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Riyadh, November 10, 2024 — In an electrifying end to the 2024 season, Coco Gauff emerged victorious at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, clinching the title after an intense three-hour battle against China’s Zheng Qinwen. The 20-year-old American took the crown in a final-set tiebreak, sealing one of the most significant wins of her career in dramatic fashion.
This late-night victory earned Gauff a record-breaking $4.805 million payout, pushing her total 2024 earnings to an impressive $13.2 million, one of the highest in women’s tennis this year.
Gauff’s journey to the top spot in Riyadh has been a testament to her growth and resilience. After facing criticism earlier in the season, she rebounded with determination, adding this prestigious WTA Finals title to her achievements, including the 2023 US Open and victories across all WTA Tour levels. She joins Iga Świątek as one of the few players under 30 to win titles at every level, cementing her as a young force in the sport.
The 20-year-old’s WTA Finals win makes her the youngest player to win the season-ending championship since Maria Sharapova in 2004, and the youngest American since Serena Williams in 2001. As she heads to Los Angeles for some well-deserved rest, Gauff has solidified her place as one of the top stars of the women’s game.
Runner-up Zheng Qinwen, competing in her first WTA Finals, nearly claimed the title, even serving for the championship in the third set. Her strong showing in Riyadh caps off a breakthrough year for the 22-year-old, who finishes the season with an Olympic gold medal and a career-high No.5 world ranking. “If you keep fighting and stay strong, you’ll get your chance,” Zheng said, summing up her season’s fighting spirit.
With her Riyadh triumph, Gauff signals a promising future for the young American, inspiring fans and solidifying her as a leading talent in tennis.
