Coco Gauff rides highs and lows to win first WTA Finals trophy

American Coco Gauff had a bitterly disappointing summer but the youngster was able to celebrate lifting her first WTA Finals trophy, regaining her confidence after a string of frustrating defeats to end her year on a high note. The 20-year-old showed her mettle against China’s Olympics champion Zheng Qinwen in the finale, coming back from a set down and holding her nerve through a gritty three-hour and four-minute affair to win 3-6 6-4 7-6(2).

The first WTA Finals title for Gauff was made sweeter after a mid-year derailment when attempts to rebuild her serve led to repeated frustrations on the tour and a coaching shake-up. “It’s been a long season,” Gauff said.

Gauff’s season began to crumble with a fourth-round defeat at Wimbledon and third-round exit at the Paris Games. She was unable to reset for her US Open title defence and left New York after a dreadful fourth-round defeat by Emma Navarro.

Gauff split from coach Brad Gilbert and flipped the script weeks later. “I know (I) tend to focus on ‘doubters/haters’ but this one is really for all of my supporters!” Gauff wrote in a post. “I know some of you are a little bit petty like me so it does feel nice to silence them for a bit.”