Coco Gauff did not win a Grand Slam this season, but she might have learned more lessons in defeat. After an up-and-down season, Gauff went back to the drawing board and changed coaches after the US Open.

Collecting her $4.8 million check, she won the WTA Finals after beating the two best players in the world, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek.

On Saturday, the 20-year-old survived a three-hour thriller in the Riyadh final and edged out Zheng Qinwen 3-6 6-4 7-6 (2). A couple of times during the match, the American had her back turned against the wall but managed to come back and ultimately win.