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'I felt so empowered': Coco Gauff pays tribute to Māori people in Auckland

Championship Sunday at the ASB Classic features cultural elements of indigenous New Zealanders, and top seed Coco Gauff was honored to take part in the festivities. 

By Baseline Staff
MATCH POINT: C. Gauff def. D. Kovinic; Auckland SF1:00
WATCH: Gauff didn't lose a set in five matches in Auckland, which also included a semifinal win over No. 7 seed Danka Kovinic.

New Zealand's biggest tennis event has featured cultural elements of the Māori, the indigenous Polynesian people of the country, on its Championship Sunday for many years—and the opportunity to experience a new culture was not lost on eventual winner Coco Gauff.

Ahead of Sunday's women's final at the ASB Classic, Gauff and Rebeka Masarova walked on court and were first serenaded by a haka, a traditional dance of the Māori that has also played a role in New Zealand's sporting life since the 1880s.

"I’ve seen videos of it performed before various sporting events and was so surprised to see it done before my match," Gauff wrote on Twitter afterwards. "I felt so empowered! Thank you for sharing your culture with me."

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JANUARY 08: Rebeka Masarova of Spain, Coco Gauff of the USA and Tournament Director Nicholas Lamperin receive a traditional Maori cultural welcome onto the court before their singles final during day seven of the 2023 ASB Classic Women's at the ASB Tennis Arena on January 08, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
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After winning the match, 6-1, 6-1, Gauff was also given a Korowai, a traditional finely-woven cloak of the Māori, upon victory, and wore it for the trophy ceremony and to take photos afterwards.

She said she was "beyond grateful" to be presented with the garment, and that it was "an honor" to wear it.

Gauff dropped just 22 games in 10 sets en route to winning her third career WTA singles title, in her first tournament as the No. 1 seed.