Tim Henman pinpoints what he finds ‘incredible’ about Coco Gauff after she beats Qinwen Zheng to win the WTA Finals

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Coco Gauff beat Qinwen Zheng in a three-set tiebreaker to win the WTA Finals for the first time in her career.

Gauff has had a stellar year on the WTA Tour winning three titles, reaching world number three in the process.

Gauff won the China Open earlier this year, beating Karolina Muchova to take home her second career WTA 1000 title.

The American has experienced a lot of success after swapping her coaches earlier this season, as Gauff brought in Matt Daly, to replace the outgoing Brad Gilbert.

Gauff’s fantastic form at the back end of 2024 continued into the WTA Finals where she beat Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng on her way to the title.

One tennis legend has said what he thinks was key to Gauff’s triumph in Saudi Arabia.

Tim Henman says what he found ‘incredible’ during Coco Gauff’s WTA Finals win over Qinwen Zheng

Gauff beat Zheng 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 in one of the most entertaining WTA Finals in recent memory.

Former British number one Tim Henman spoke to Sky Sports after the match, to explain what the key to Gauff’s victory was.

“It’s incredible,” he said.

“We can do deep dives in to the techniques, on the second serve, the forehand, the game styles, but at the end of the day that just epitomises the heart and desire of a champion.

“She should’ve lost on numerous occasions, but she just refuses to give in, that resilience, add to that the athletic ability, to keep running down balls and never doubting herself.

“It’s a phenomenal achievement, and I think a very fitting way for this championships to finish.”

Henman went on to praise the tournament which had been heavily criticised in recent weeks.

“There’s been a lot of conversation, a lot of dialogue about whether these types of event should come to Saudi Arabia” he said.

“Now it’s here the competition has been absolutely fantastic.

“To finish that match in just over three hours, 7-6 in the final set, two phenomenal players going head-to-head, and a very worthy winner.”

Can Coco Gauff become world number one in 2025?

With victories over the top two players in the world in Riyadh, Gauff’s confidence will no doubt be sky-high going in to the new year.

Swiatek and Sabalenka have traded the number one spot in 2024, but it had looked unlikely for anyone else to join in on the action any time soon.

Gauff’s statement performance at the WTA Finals has certainly made her a contender for the number one ranking, and it might not be too far out of reach.

Sabalenka’s lead at the top may seem like a big bridge to gap, but with the Belarussian defending 2000 points from her 2023 Australian Open triumph, there is going to be an opportunity for the chasing pack to close in.

It may well still be a while until we see Gauff take her place as world number one, but if she can carry this form and momentum into 2025, it certainly feels like a matter of when not if, she will get to the top.

Gauff will likely return to action for the build-up to the Australian Open next January.