UConn’s Paige Bueckers celebrates Coco Gauff's WTA Finals win
UConn star Paige Bueckers took to Instagram to congratulate young tennis phenom Coco Guaff after her singles victory at the WTA Finals. Gauff defeated the world No. 7 Zheng Qinwen to lift the trophy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Bueckers reposted Gauff's celebration post on her Instagram story and added three star-struck emojis.
The 20-year-old tennis star became the youngest player to lift the trophy since Maria Sharapova back in 2004, and the first American to win since Serena Williams won in 2014.
"In all seriousness, I’m so grateful for all the support the last few weeks. Getting to win the last tournament of the season and it also being my second biggest title of my career so far is insane," Coco Gauff wrote on Instagram after her win.
Bueckers had previously expressed her backing for Gauff during the US Open by cheering for her at her match against Elina Svitolina at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
ESPN pictured Bueckers alongside her Husky teammate Azzi Fudd in the stands cheering on Gauff. The next photo showed the duo having a conversation with the 2023 US Open champion in a hallway.
"Paige and Azzi, I've known them on social media for a while," Coco addressed Paige and Azzi's presence post-game. "So I knew that they were coming today, and I got to meet them in person after the match .. I think I got some of the good vibes from them."
Paige Bueckers aims to build team chemistry on young UConn roster
Paige Bueckers, the reigning Big East Player of the Year, enters her senior year at Connecticut as the clear leader of a relatively young Huskies roster.
Among the three freshmen who joined UConn this offseason, Sarah Strong started in the season opener against Boston U. Strong even outshined Bueckers in the box score, scoring 17 points on 8-for-12 shooting to Bueckers' 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting.
"It's been a focus and practice for us to come together and play as a team," Paige said after the win via CT Post.
"Obviously we don't have the most experience playing with each other, which is why it's really been an emphasis in practice to help each other out. Play as a fist, not as individuals."
UConn coach Geno Auriemma also agreed with Paige Bueckers' comments, acknowledging the huge experience gap within the squad.
"We have too big of a gap between where Paige is right now, and her level of development, and too many young guys," Geno said via CT Post. "And we need to bridge that gap in the middle."
After a strong win in their first game, the Huskies face a real challenge against South Florida on Sunday that will show if their young players can keep up the same performance against tougher teams.