"Like two times this week, I cried in my room just from all the support" - Coco Gauff touched by Cincinnati support as she dismisses US Open hype

After losing two WTA 1000 finals in 2026, Coco Gauff finally finds more success at this level with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Jessica Pegula in the Cincinnati Open final for a first title in 2026. She explained her emotional reactions to the adoring crows while hushing the expectations around her ahead of the US Open.

Gauff stormed out of the blocks as she went 5-0 ahead in rapid time. Pegula got one of the breaks back but her attempted comeback was abruptly halted with the World No.4 taking the first set against the serve.

She continued that form with a break right at the start of the second set enroute to a 3-0 lead. She was serving it out at 5-3 before Pegula had a lifeline by breaking back. However, a break to love by Gauff was a terrific response, and what secured her a fourth WTA 1000 title.

In her speech after the match, she had some touching words for Pegula who she has shared a lot of her career with. "Where is she? Ah, there she is," she began, desperately looking around trying to find her.

"First of all, I want to congratulate Jess. You are an amazing tennis player, that goes without saying. It’s always difficult to play against you. Today, strangely, all the balls landed in my court. I don’t like seeing you on the other side of the net. But I love playing with you. I just wanted to congratulate you. You are an incredible person and player. Congratulations also to your team: you are great people and you are among the best teams on tour.

"I also want to thank Jess. When I first started on the tour, she was one of the few players who treated me with kindness. That memory will forever remain in my mind and that of my family. I have the utmost respect for you. It’s an honor to share the court with you again. I hope we can face each other a few more times.”

She continued to thank her team and family before going on to say how special it was to play on home soil. Gauff has enjoyed a lot of support in Cincinnati with the American fans passionately cheering and urging her on.

"Every time I turn a corner, there's a smile, a person saying, good morning, and it really makes my day. And thank you to you guys, the fans. Like Jess said, this is a tournament," she stated, opening up about how much it all touched her.

"I think a lot of the players, especially us American players, sign the most because there's so many heartfelt stories and voices and gifts that you guys have given me. Actually, like two times this week, I, like, cried in my room just from all the support that I was getting. Just some of the stories that people have been sharing with me, how my tennis, win or lose, gives them joy. It just makes me so happy to be out here and fight every moment. So, thank you guys for supporting me and supporting us."

This time last year, things were not going great for Gauff. Serving and forehand troubles saw her get in a lot of bother on court as she tried to combat her demons. When talking to the media, Gauff noted this hard work she has put in while keeping faith in herself to get it right.

“With each match, I felt more and more confident in the work I had done and in training," she said. "Knowing that I can win these matches and that it's going to be tough in New York, but knowing the quality wins I've had this week, knowing that I can win even if I'm not playing my best tennis, but also knowing that I can play that great tennis that I felt I was playing this week.”

These changes are having a hugely positive impact on her game, as shown by her Cincinnati title run. Before that, semi-final runs at Wimbledon and the Canadian Open have shown that she is on a positive trajectory back up the order. While this is promising signs towards the US Open, the 2023 champion admitted that nothing was guaranteed.

“It was frustrating managing my game lately because of the changes I made, but in the end I decided to continue believing in what I had done and in the tennis player I am and can be. I don’t think this is an indicator that I’m going to do well at the US Open. It’s going to be tough anyway, but it helps me see that I can reach my best level by being more aggressive on every point.”

The 22-year-old continued to keep her cards close to her chest ahead of an eighth trip to Flushing Meadows. After winning the title three years ago, she has failed to make it past the fourth round in the prior two editions.

“I don’t think this is an indicator that I’m going to do well in New York," she admitted. "It’s going to be tough anyway, but it helps me see that I can reach my best level by being more aggressive on every point. I think it’s been a long road, but I’m happy. It’s like night and day if I compare the player I was last year to the player I am now.”