Coco Gauff had a comical lapse in concentration after her post-match press conference at the WTA Finals on Saturday.
The American produced a fine display to down Qinwen Zheng in the final and clinch the eye-watering £3.7million top prize. Gauff needed three sets and three hours to get the job done, coming from 2-0 and 5-3 down in the final set to eventually take the match 3-6 6-4 7-6 in Riyadh.
And the test of endurance appeared to take its toll on the 20-year-old, who rounded off her media duties by walking away from the interview platform without her WTA Finals trophy.
It was only when someone reminded her of the silverware that she reached back and grabbed it, saying: “Oh, sorry!”
Despite having a tough time during the American hard-court swing in August and September, Gauff found form at the right time to prevail in Riyadh’s lucrative end-of-season event.
The youngster beat Jessica Pegula and Iga Swiatek in straight sets during the group stage before dispatching top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals, and then Zheng in Saturday’s showpiece match. The big win takes Gauff’s career prize money haul close to the £13million mark, even though she only turned professional in 2018.
“I was just trying my best to hang in there and I never gave up,” the world No. 3 told Sky Sports. “I was just telling myself, ‘It’s another point, another chance’. I’ve been in situations like this in the past and have been able to turn it around… and I was able to do it again. It’s been a long season. This week has been so fun.”
Gauff is the first American WTA Finals champion since Serena Williams a decade ago, and the youngest champion since Maria Sharapova in 2004.
Former British No. 1 Laura Robson called the match on Sky Sports, and she felt that the coveted WTA Finals title went to the right player.
“That was such a fun match to commentate on,” she said. “There were so many twists and turns… but there was one thing that was consistent, and that was Coco’s attitude.
“She just never gave in, never let anyone see her sweat. Every changeover, every time she faced a break point, it was the exact same response. I have just a huge amount of respect for both players. And a very deserving winner.”