Coco Gauff claimed she was “feeling the love” in rainy Cancun after demolishing Ons Jabeur 6-0 6-1 in her opening group round match of the WTA Finals on Monday. Coco Gauff is delighted during the GNP Seguros WTA Finals Cancun. During her opening doubles play on Day 1, the reigning US Open champion received a marriage proposal mid-match. It wasn’t the first time the 19-year-old had to consider an enthusiastic fan’s request.
“Somebody said, ‘Will you marry me’ and I think it was Steffi Graf who said, ‘How much money do you have?'”. Gauff said after her singles win over Ons Jabeur. “I almost wanted to recreate that moment, but then if we would have lost people would have said ‘they lost because she said that’. So I was like alright, I won’t do that.“
“So I got a marriage proposal yesterday so I’m feeling the love here in Cancun.” Gauff said with a laugh after the match, thanking the crowd who showed up despite the weather.” Also read: Wimbledon’s Grand Vision: A New Stadium and 38 Courts
“I honestly wasn’t expecting as much support today … I appreciate you guys and hopefully we can get a lot more people to come as the week continues.”
Gauff defeated No.7 Jabeur in one game on Monday to become the first American teenager to win a match at the WTA Finals since Venus Williams in 1999.
Gauff has been taken away by the love she’s gotten in Mexico, with supporters organizing organized chants to encourage her on. In September, Gauff became the first teenager to win the US Open since Serena Williams in 1999.
“Zendaya sent me flowers to my house,” Gauff told Tennis Channel after Monday’s win, referring to the actress as she spoke about life after winning the grand slam. “It was like a huge bouquet of flowers.”
“I was really surprised how many people were cheering for me,” Gauff said. “They had a little chant for me a couple times. And even yesterday in our doubles, we had a lot of support.”
“So I think yeah, the Mexican fans obviously love me and I love them and I’m happy to be here in Cancun and happy they were able to welcome our event and welcome us as players. Hopefully more and more people can come and support us as the week continues.”
Gauff, who qualified for the WTA Finals as the third seed. She will face second seed Iga Swiatek in her next Group B outing on Wednesday. Swiatek started her campaign earlier on Monday with a 7-6(7-3) 6-0 win over Marketa Vondrousova. Also read: Eugenie Bouchard Reveals Her New Boyfriend, making It Official