"Apparently I won" - Coco Gauff reacts hilariously to finding out she beat Djokovic, Alcaraz & Swiatek to win ESPYs 2024 Best Tennis Player award

Coco Gauff won the ESPYs 2024 Best Tennis Player award by earning more votes than her competitors Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic. The young American seemed surprised with her victory but thanked her fans for their votes.

The ESPYs Awards 2024 were held on Thursday, July 11, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Serena Williams hosted the event and gave fans several moments to remember.

Gauff could not attend the event. The other nominees for the best tennis player in the past year, including Swiatek, Alcaraz, and Djokovic, were also absent. However, it was announced that the 20-year-old American had won the award.

She took to X to express her gratitude to fans who voted for her. Gauff wrote:

"Apparently I won an espy 🤯 thank you ❤️❤️ i am super grateful! I wish I could’ve attended! thank you to every one who voted🙏🏾"

Previously, at the ESPYs Awards, the Best Tennis Player category was divided into men's and women's. However, since last year, the categories have been merged. Djokovic bagged the award last year with Gauff not even receiving a nomination.

However, this past year, she has won multiple titles. The American has won a Grand Slam title in both singles (2023 US Open) and women's doubles events (2024 French Open). She even received a nomination at the Laureus World Sports Awards for Breakthrough of the Year.

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Coco Gauff shifts focus to Olympic Games following Wimbledon 2024 exit

Coco Gauff at The Championships - Wimbledon 2024

Coco Gauff looked in fine form at Wimbledon this year after losing just 10 games in her first three matches. However, Emma Navarro got the better of her compatriot in straight sets in the fourth round to eliminate her.

After the loss, Gauff admitted that her mind was on the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris although she was still alive in the women's doubles event at the time.

"I mean, honestly, my mind is on the Olympics. Especially in doubles, I would say I'm looking at the Olympics. I'm looking at us as a team and how can we improve to be a good contender for a medal in the Olympics because we haven't played that much this year," Coco Gauff said during a press conference.

The ESPYs Award winner participated in the doubles event with compatriot Jessica Pegula and the pair was defeated in the quarterfinal.

At the Olympics, Coco Gauff, who could not feature in the Games in Tokyo due to testing positive for Covid, will be joined by Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, and Danielle Collins.