Top 10 youngest American Grand Slam winners: Where does Coco Gauff slot in after her US Open success?
Coco Gauff became the United States’ newest major champion after winning the 2023 US Open, but where does she feature on the list of youngest American Grand Slam winners?
10. Andy Roddick – 21 years 8 days
Year: 2003
Andy Roddick remains the last American man to win a Grand Slam with his sole major title coming on September 7, 2003 at his home tournament, the US Open.
Seeded fourth, Roddick saved a match point in the semi-final against David Nalbandian before he defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero 6–3, 7–6 (7–2), 6–3 in the showpiece match on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
He appeared in three Wimbledon finals after that (2004, 2005 and 2009), but was denied by Roger Federer on all three occasions.
9. Jim Courier – 20 years 9 months, 24 days
Year: 1991
Jim Courier won the first of his four Grand Slams at the French Open in 1991 as he beat fellow American Andre Agassi 3–6, 6–4, 2–6, 6–1, 6–4 in the final.
Courier took out top seed Stefan Edberg in the quarter-final and ninth seed Michael Stich in the semi-final. He successfully defended his title the following year while he also won the Australian Open in 1992 and 1993.
8. John McEnroe – 20 years 6 months, 24 days
Year: 1979
One of tennis’ all-time greats started his Grand Slam-winning journey at the 99th edition of the US Open in 1979 as he defeated Vitas Gerulaitis 7–5, 6–3, 6–3 in a lopsided final.
McEnroe, who went on to also win titles at Flushing Meadows in 1981, 1983 and 1989, ended Jimmy Connors’ streak of five consecutive finals as he won their semi-final clash in straight sets.
7. Venus Williams – 20 years, 21 days
Year: 2000
Venus Williams followed in her sister Serena Williams’ footsteps in 2000 by winning a Grand Slam as she tasted major success for the first time at Wimbledon.
She beat compatriot Lindsay Davenport, 6–3, 7–6 (7-3) to win the first of her seven Grand Slam singles titles with her other successes coming at Wimbledon in 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008, and the US Open in 2000 and 2001.
6. Coco Gauff – 19 years 5 months 27 days
Year: 2023
The newest member on the list, Coco Gauff, fulfilled her early promise as she won her maiden Grand Slam at the US Open – four years after she first made a name for herself as a qualifier at Wimbledon in 2019.
Gauff defeated the world No 1 in waiting Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 to become the first American teenager to win the women’s singles title since Serena Williams in 1999.
5. Chris Evert – 19 years, 5 months, 25 days
Year: 1974
Three years after making her Grand Slam debut at the 1971 US Open, Chris Evert made her major breakthrough at the French Open as she beat Olga Morozova 6–1, 6–2 in the final.
It was the first of 18 Grand Slam titles for Evert with her last one coming at the 1986 French Open.
4. Pete Sampras – 19 years, 29 days
Year: 1990
Americans had experienced a mini drought in terms of men’s winners at the US Open in the late 80s, but rising star Pete Sampras changed that as he won his maiden major at Flushing Meadows.
Sampras defeated Andre Agassi 6–4, 6–3, 6–2 in the final and he would go on to win another 13 Grand Slams with his tally of 14 an Open Era record until it was broken by Roger Federer.
3. Serena Williams – 17 years, 11 months, 15 days
Year: 1999
Tennis great Serena Williams’ incredible Grand Slam-title winning journey started at the 1999 US Open when she defeated world No 1 Martina Hingis 6–3, 7–6 (7–4).
Williams was the first African American woman to win a major in the singles in the Open Era and she would go on to win another 22 Grand Slam titles with her tally of 23 an Open Era record for women.
2. Michael Chang – 17 years 3 months 20 days
Year: 1989
Michael Chang remains the youngest man to win a Grand Slam and his success came at the 1989 French Open when he stunned third seed Stefan Edberg 6–1, 3–6, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 in the final. He defeated world No 1 and three-time champion Ivan Lendl en route to the final.
It was the American’s only Grand Slam title as he finished runner-up at the 1996 Australian Open and 1996 US Open.
1. Tracy Austin – 16 years 8 months 28 days
Year: 1979
Tracy Austin became the youngest-ever Grand Slam winner when she defeated four-time defending champion Chris Evert 6–4, 6–3 in the 1979 US Open final.
She won a second major at Flushing Meadows two years later, but injuries and a serious car accident prevented her from winning more Grand Slams.
READ MORE: Top 10 youngest US Open women’s champions as Coco Gauff joins the list
