Barack & Michelle Obama Congratulate 19-Year-Old Coco Gauff On Her U.S. Open Victory

Maybe the best reaction to 19-year-old Coco Gauff winning her first Grand Slam tournament at the U.S. Open today came from the champ herself.

“Honestly, thank you to the people who didn’t believe in me. A month ago, I won a 500 title and people said I would stop at that,” she said in a TV interview from center court. “I’m here with this trophy right now. I tried my best to carry this with grace and I’ve been doing my best. So honestly, to those who thought [they] were putting water on my fire, you were really adding gas to it. And now I’m really burning so bright right now.”

More from Deadline

• 19-Year-Old Coco Gauff Wins First U.S. Open, First American Teen To Do So Since Serena In 1999

• “It’s Like A Hostage Situation”: Coco Gauff’s U.S. Open Semifinal Sidetracked For 50 Minutes By Climate Protesters

• "A House In Disarray": 13 Presidential Libraries, Including Those Of Obama, Reagan & Kennedy, Issue "Urgent Call To Action For All Americans"

Gauff won plaudits from two former U.S. presidents. Both Barack Obama and Bill Clinton took to Twitter to congratulate her, with Obama writing, “We know the best is yet to come.”

Former First Lady Michelle Obama shared an image of herself and her husband alongside Gauff and her mother and father, writing, “So proud of you, @CocoGauff! Your hard work and grit was on display throughout this tournament.”

Most eye-catching reaction goes to the MSG Sphere in Las Vegas, which turned its round exterior screen into a giant tennis ball.

Best of Deadline

• Venice Film Festival 2023 Photos: The Red Carpet Premieres & Closing Ceremony Winners

• SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreements: Full List Of Movies And TV Series

• 2023 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.