Last Saturday’s final between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka exemplified some of the very best and very worst of the tournament. Their contrast of styles was on display for all to see: Sabalenka’s power and single-mindedness against Gauff’s ability to endure and problem-solve. Gauff’s win, however, was immediately understood as symbolizing American core values such as determination, grit and self-belief. This reflexive American triumphalism turns any final into little more than a prologue, with more and better promised in the future. It just sells the product; a grasping for greatness in the moment instead of simply letting the moment be.

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Persons: Coco Gauff, Sabalenka, Chris Evert couldn’t, Evert, Bianca Andreescu, Emma Raducanu Organizations: Gauff, U.S Locations: U.S