As the clay courts of Roland Garros buzz with anticipation for the 2025 French Open, Coco Gauff, the American tennis sensation, has captured the spotlight not only for her dominant performances but also for a surprising revelation about her 2023 US Open victory. The 21-year-old world No. 2, who recently stormed into the fourth round in Paris, shared a lighthearted anecdote about ignoring a direct message from men’s star Carlos Alcaraz before her historic triumph in New York. “I didn’t even see it until after the tournament,” Gauff admitted with a laugh, reflecting on how she missed Alcaraz’s attempt to connect during her run to the 2023 US Open title. This charming confession, paired with her recent clay-court prowess, has fueled optimism that Gauff could finally claim the French Open crown, a goal that has eluded her since her 2022 final appearance.
Gauff’s 2023 US Open victory marked a defining moment in her career. At just 19, she became the youngest American to win the title since Serena Williams, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 final. Her path to the championship included a stunning upset over top seed Iga Świątek, showcasing her ability to compete with the best. The revelation about Alcaraz’s unanswered message, shared during a candid moment at Roland Garros, adds a relatable layer to her journey. “He’s such a great guy, and I felt bad when I realized I left him on read,” Gauff said, her grin highlighting the camaraderie among tennis’s young stars. Alcaraz, the 2024 French Open champion, had reached out to offer support, but Gauff’s focus was laser-sharp, leading her to miss the message until after she hoisted the trophy.
Entering the 2025 French Open, Gauff has emerged as a leading contender, buoyed by a stellar clay-court season. She reached back-to-back finals in Madrid and Rome, notching a career-defining 6-1, 6-1 victory over Świątek in Madrid, her first clay win against the four-time Roland Garros champion. “I would definitely think it’s pretty open,” Gauff said of the women’s field, naming Sabalenka, Jasmine Paolini, Zheng Qinwen, and Mirra Andreeva as threats. Her confidence stems from her improved forehand, which she credits for thriving on clay. “I think especially with how heavy I hit on my forehand side, I definitely think it helps enhance that,” she noted, emphasizing her athleticism and ability to chase down balls on the slow surface.
Gauff’s Roland Garros campaign began with a humorous hiccup when she forgot her rackets before her first-round match against Olivia Gadecki. “Honestly, I thought they put the rackets in the bag,” she told reporters, laughing off the moment when she opened her bag on Court Philippe-Chatrier to find it empty. A ball boy quickly delivered her mint-colored rackets, and Gauff cruised to a 6-2, 6-2 win in 71 minutes. “The most important thing is to play with a racquet. So [after finding them] I was getting through the first step,” she joked. The mishap, which echoed a similar incident involving Frances Tiafoe, whom Gauff had teased for forgetting his rackets in Madrid, drew chuckles from fans and players alike. “I made fun of Frances for it, but now I’ll be quiet,” she quipped.
Her second-round match against Czech qualifier Tereza Valentová, an 18-year-old junior champion, tested Gauff’s resilience. Despite a shaky serve and 23 unforced errors, including six double faults, Gauff secured a 6-2, 6-4 victory, breaking Valentová’s serve multiple times to advance. In the third round, she faced Marie Bouzková, overcoming a tough second set to win 6-1, 7-6(3). “I think, just for long-term-wise, and obviously mentally, it’s a lot better to finish that in two sets,” Gauff said, reflecting on her ability to avoid a decider. Her aggressive play, with 22 winners in the second set alone, showcased her growth as a clay-court force.
Gauff’s French Open journey carries extra weight after her 2024 doubles title with Katerina Siniaková and her 2022 singles final loss to Świątek. With Świątek struggling, having lost to Gauff and Andreeva in 2025, the field feels wide open. Gauff’s next challenge is Ekaterina Alexandrova, against whom she holds a 3-1 record, with a potential all-American quarterfinal against Madison Keys or Hailey Baptiste looming. Her 11-3 clay record this season, including wins over top-10 players like Świątek and Andreeva, has experts like ESPN’s D’Arcy Maine picking her as a favorite. “She has proved just how good she can be on clay,” Maine noted, citing Gauff’s Madrid and Rome finals.
Off the court, Gauff’s charm shines through. She revealed Rihanna as her dream celebrity cheerleader, citing the singer’s “great energy” as inspiration. As she navigates the pressures of stardom, Gauff’s focus remains unwavering. “I love it so much,” she said of her No. 2 ranking and the target on her back. “Knowing that there is someone chasing me, I take it as a challenge.” With her US Open triumph behind her and a newfound confidence on clay, Gauff’s 2025 French Open campaign could mark the moment she conquers Paris, rackets and all.
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