“It’s amazing. It’s almost more fun to win the team events because you have people to celebrate with afterwards,” said Taylor Fritz after Team USA clinched the United Cup trophy in Sunday’s final against Poland. He provided a crucial 2-0 lead to his country by registering a much-needed 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(4) win over Hubert Hurkacz. However, the World No.4 and 2024 ATP Finals runner-up believes 2023 US Open winner Coco Gauff is the one responsible for this historic win. Not to mention he was under massive pressure throughout the event. Especially considering that it was her first appearance in the United Cup!

The title clash began with the singles battle between Gauff and Iga Swiatek. Despite having an unfavorable 2-11 h2h record against the former World No.1 and five-time Grand Slam champion, the 2024 WTA Finals winner conquered her. Gauff won her match 6-4, 6-4 while giving America a 1-0 lead. Later, Fritz continued this momentum against Hurkacz. Although the latter delayed his victory, the 27-year-old ATP pro succeeded in emerging as a winner. After helping their country secure its second United Cup title, both Fritz and Gauff engaged in a post-match interview on January 5.

While Fritz expressed happiness winning the trophy with Gauff, he also admitted she made him feel nervous at times. But why?

Well, it was the excellent form of the World No.3 WTA player. “We played the majority, almost every single match except for one, Coco played first so always put me up 1-0, so I felt like it put so much pressure on me, because I didn’t want to be the one to lose it for the team because she already won (smiling),” he revealed.

Going into the final against Swiatek, Gauff remained undefeated. She won all her four singles matches against Canada, Croatia, China, and then Czechia in the SF round. “She’s consistently putting us in a winning position where I can go out and know that if I take care of business that we don’t need to leave it up to a mixed where honestly anything can happen. None of us really play a lot of mixed doubles,” he said of Gauff.

But this isn’t the first time Fritz has lauded Coco Gauff. He had confidence in her from the time she clinched her maiden United Cup fight against Leylah Fernandez!

When Taylor Fritz realized Coco Gauff would ‘carry’ him and Team USA to a second title win at the United Cup

America started the campaign with a 2-1 win over Canada last month. Initially, Coco Gauff beat Fernandez 6-3, 6-2. But the tables turned quickly, as Fritz couldn’t hold the lead. He lost against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the men’s singles match. Fortunately, he was helped by Gauff in the mixed doubles as they clinched the deciding tie against Auger and Fernandez with a scoreline of 7-6(2), 7-5.

“Really happy with how we played today in the mixed. I felt we got better the longer the match went. We had a lot of chances and finally, we were able to stick ’em when it mattered,” said Gauff after winning her first United Cup battle. But Fritz knew that she would turn out to be the lucky charm for Team USA in the long run.

After witnessing her heroics in the singles and mixed doubles against Canada, he was left speechless. “After the way I lost my singles match, it would have been really tough to go home today with a mixed doubles loss today as well, Thank you Coco for carrying the team, and we got it done,” he said while thanking the 20-year-old.

Offering a special mention to the rising WTA pro, he revealed on Instagram how she carried the team and him in a tough encounter. “What’s up, guys? Just clinched the match for Team USA. Coco is carrying me and yeah, we’re ready for the next round,” said Fritz in a video shared by the United Cup’s official account. The clip also featured Gauff, as she was seen smiling in the background. “We’re ready to sleep. See you guys!” she responded to Fritz’s comments.

What are your thoughts on the two players’ performances shown at the United Cup? Let us know in the comments below.