"Some of you are petty like me" - Coco Gauff relishes silencing "haters," ending "bad season" claims as she thanks her supporters after WTA Finals win

Coco Gauff wrapped up her 2024 season by winning the WTA Finals in Riyadh. The 20-year-old came back from a set down to defeat seventh seed Zheng Qinwen 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) in a final that lasted 3 hours and 4 minutes.

Gauff overcame Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula, losing only to Barbora Krejcikova in round-robin to qualify for the semifinals. Here, she knocked out World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in striaght sets to set up a title clash with Zheng Qinwen.

In a nail-biting encounter, Gauff sprang back from a set down anda 4-5 deficit in the second set to eventually emerge victorious at the year-end tournament in Riyadh.

Earlier, the American had drawn some criticism for her game after her title defense at the US Open ended in the fourth round. Some also doubted her decision to part ways with her coach Brad Gilbert a week after her elimination from the New York Major.

The World No. 3's game surged in the twilight of the season under the tutelage of her new coach Matt Daly. She found success in the Asian swing, winning the China Open while reaching the semifinals of the Wuhan Open.

Following her victory at the WTA Finals, Gauff took to X to send a message to her critics.

"Lol [Laugh out loud]. safe to say I beat the bad season allegations," the 20-year-old wrote.

She also shared a few pictures from of herself holding the coveted WTA Finals trophy and captioned it:

"Muah. Also, I know tend to focus on “doubters/haters” but this one is really for all of my supporters! Ya’ll held it down for me win or lose! I thank you for that. I see you and I appreciate you. And I know some of you are a little bit petty like me so it does feel nice to silence them for a bit."

Gauff is the fourth American woman after Chris Evert, Tracy Austin and Serena Williams to win the WTA Finals.

Coco Gauff makes use of "pettiness" constructively to keep pressure at bay

Coco Gauff at the 2024 WTA Finals (Image Source: Getty)

Coco Gauff's above comment on critics being "petty like me" stemmed from her interaction with the media at a press conference after her loss to Barbora Krejcikova in group stage.

When asked how the World No. 3 managed expectations while continuing to enjoy the game, Gauff responded:

"I think, for me, I think honestly, pettiness. Yeah, I think, that's really the answer. I think I just love to be, like, say I'm right and stuff, and obviously it doesn't work. I don't win all the time, but, specifically today, I got a lot of comments about how I was going to lose badly today," she said.

"So I was just like, 'Okay, we'll see'. And obviously, I don't know. So yeah, I think it's honestly just liking the idea of just proving people wrong and letting your racket do the talking," she added.

This was Coco Gauff's third consecutive appearance at the event. The 20-year-old is now the youngest WTA Finals champion since Maria Sharapova (aged 17) in 2004.