“You were one of the first people to be nice to me”: Coco Gauff heartfelt words to Jessica Pegula after Wuhan final

Coco Gauff capped off a stellar Asian swing with another dazzling display, defeating Jessica Pegula in straight sets to lift the Wuhan Open trophy (6-4, 7-5). The 21-year-old American showcased not only her consistency but also her mental toughness, refusing to let Pegula take her trademark three-set route — the 31-year-old star had gone to deciders in eight of her previous nine matches (winning seven of them).

The world No. 3 once again had to overcome serving struggles, hitting eight double faults and only four aces. Still, her aggressive baseline game and composure in key moments were enough to seal the 11th title of her career and her second of the season, bringing her total to three WTA 1000 trophies — the same number as her opponent Pegula.

Gauff began her speech with warmth and humility, praising her rival for her resilience throughout the tournament. She called the world No. 6 the “three-set queen,” admitting she was determined to avoid a decider because “the odds would be in her favour.” Gauff made sure to highlight how Pegula welcomed her “with open arms” when she first joined the WTA Tour — a moment she said still means a lot to her today.

Gauff opened her victory speech by praising Pegula with the warmth and humour that has become her trademark. “I’d like to congratulate Jess on an incredible tournament,” she began. “You were playing a lot of three-setters — you were a three-set queen — so I was determined not to let you get there today because I felt like the odds would be in your favour.”

She smiled as the crowd laughed, before turning sincere. “When I came on tour, you were one of the first people to be nice to me and welcome me with open arms. That really goes a long way, and it still does. It’s great to finally play a final against you, and I hope for many more.”

The young American also extended her respect to Pegula’s team, calling them “class acts” and adding, “It’s an honour to share the court with you all,” as she described the final as “competitive, emotional, and exactly the kind of match you want to play in a big event like this.”

Switching tone, Gauff then expressed heartfelt thanks to the tournament organisers, sponsors, and fans. “This has been an incredible tournament,” she said. “Like Jess mentioned, the improvements since last year have been amazing and made this week so easy for us players. I want to thank everyone who made this possible — the staff, volunteers, and ball kids — you guys are incredible.”

The world No. 3 also spoke about how much she’s enjoyed competing in China. “The fans here have gone beyond my expectations,” she said. “I literally had to bring an extra suitcase back home because of all the gifts I received! You guys have made me feel so welcome and loved, and I think that’s one of the reasons I always play well here — because of all the good energy.”

Her affection for the local supporters extended beyond Wuhan. “From Beijing to here, I’ve felt so much passion,” she continued. “You’ve made me feel like I’m at home, even when I’m thousands of miles away. I’ll never forget that.”

She ended her speech with the same calm poise she shows on court. “My faith is a very strong part of who I am,” she said. “I want to thank God for another opportunity to be in a final and for keeping me safe. That’s something I always hold on to. Thank you all so much — I really appreciate you, and I’ll see you next year. Xie Xie.”