Tennis champion Coco Gauff’s 'praying moment' after US Open triumph sparks debate online
The 19-year-old player became the youngest American woman to win the US Open after Serena Williams, who won her first in 1999 at the age of 17
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA: Coco Gauff made history on Saturday, September 10, after she became the second-youngest American woman to win the US Open.
The 19-year-old's US Open triumph comes after Serena Williams won the championship in 1999 at the age of 17. After beating Aryna Sabalenka, Gauff reportedly went down on her knees and said a small prayer to herself.
Sports Center shared the clip of the moment on its Twitter page and wrote, “@CocoGauff took a moment to soak it all in after winning her first Grand Slam title ❤️.”
.@CocoGauff took a moment to soak it all in after winning her first Grand Slam title ❤️ pic.twitter.com/elBGm2wQeC
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 9, 2023
‘I don’t pray for results’
The young athlete reportedly shared, as per Fox News, “Oh my goodness. It means so much to me. I feel like I’m a little bit in shock at this moment.”
“That French Open loss was a heartbreak for me. I realized God puts you through tribulations and trials. This makes this moment even more sweeter than I could imagine,” she shared.
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Gauff also added, “I don’t pray for results. I just ask that I get the strength to give it my all. Whatever happens, happens. I’m so blessed in this life. I’m just thankful for this moment.”
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‘She has been very open about her Christian faith’
But the Sports Center’s caption did not go down well with Super Bowl champion head coach Tony Dungy as he reportedly said, “I hate to break this to you SportsCenter but Coco Gauff was not ‘soaking it all in’ at this moment. She was praying.”
He added, “She has been very open about her Christian faith in the past. It seems pretty obvious what she is doing here.”
A Facebook user named T.J. Moe also agreed with Dungy and commented, “ESPN tried to say she was ‘soaking it all in’. Nah, that’s prayer and it’s fantastic to see a young athlete know where it all came from.”
Another user wrote, “A tender moment knowing who to thank first. Great match, Coco never gave up. She has the talent and will to win more championships, and I’ll be watching.”
“What an awesome match! Congratulations Coco! Impressed by your poise and calmness under pressure! You set an even greater example by praying!” the third one added.
However, there were a few who did not seem to agree with the “praying” thing as one reportedly said, “So, basically God hates whomever loses because they didn’t pray hard enough?”
“…more blessed than the opponent. Which she is thanking God for? I always am thankful others are less blessed than me…and who is to thank for it? God!” the second one remarked.
