Coco Gauff on Chasing Her First Grand Slam Title at the US Open: 'The Goal Is to Win' (Exclusive)

Coco Gauff.Photo:Robert Prange/Getty Robert Prange/Getty Coco Gauffstill laughs at the idea that she’s a famous athlete.“It’s still very shocking,” the 19-year-old tells PEOPLE. “I’m very shy.”Even though she’s still a teenager, Gauff has spent the last half-decade adjusting to her celebrity — something that first began to sink in when she started meeting her own tennis heroes, like Roger Federer and Serena and Venus Williams, at professional tournaments when she was 15.

Coco Gauff Reflects on 'Darkest and Brightest' Tennis Season After Losing in WTA Finals

Coco Gauff reflects on the ups and downs of her 2023 season.Photo:Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images Coco Gauffcemented her tennis star status this year. Now, she’s reflecting on its ups and downs. “2023 season is officially over. hard to sum [up] this season in a few words,” the 19-year-old athlete began a post on Instagram on Monday — two days after her season ended with a hard loss to the U.

Coco Gauff Reflects on Her Progress After Advancing in US Open: ‘I Should Be Proud of Myself’

Coco Gauff.Photo:Robert Prange/GettyFour years into her still young career, Coco Gauff can already recognize her own growth as a player.The tennis star, 19, told reporters she felt the impact of her own maturity in her match Wednesday night, defeating Mirra Andreeva from Russia to advance to the third round of the US Open.“I’m really happy with how I played,” Gauffsaidduring a press conference after the game.“Obviously, maturity plays a part into it,” she added.

Coco Gauff Says 'Only Regret' in Her Career Will Be Never Playing Serena Williams: 'She's the GOAT'

Coco Gauff and Serena Williams.Photo:Robert Prange/Getty; Daniel Boczarski/GettyCoco Gauffis opening up about her dream match.The 19-year-old tennis star spoke withESPNon Thursday night after she became the youngest American player to reach the US Open Final sinceSerena Williamsdid in 1999, when Williams won the first Grand Slam tournament of her storied career.Gauff was asked about “taking the torch” from the 23-time Grand Slam winner Williams and the symmetry between their tennis careers, especially after qualifying for the final round on Thursday.

Coco Gauff Says She Called Her Boyfriend to Ease Her Nerves the Night Before Winning 2023 US Open

Coco Gauff.Photo:Elsa/GettyWhen thoughts of a possible US Open title started to be too much the night before her championship match,Coco Gauffturned to her boyfriend to refocus.The 19-year-old secured her first-ever Grand Slam title Saturdaywith her win at the 2023 US Open, only her second-ever Grand Slam final. The other wasat the 2022 French Open, a disappointing lossin which Gauff said she thinks she spent too much time the night before envisioning holding that trophy, distracting her from winning the match.