In a thrilling showdown on the red clay of Roland Garros, Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American prodigy, clinched her first French Open title on June 7, 2025, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping three-set battle, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4. The victory marked Gauff’s second Grand Slam singles title, following her 2023 US Open win—also against Sabalenka—and solidified her status as a rising star. However, the post-match narrative took a contentious turn when Sabalenka’s comments sparked accusations of poor sportsmanship, igniting a firestorm among fans and drawing a poised response from Gauff.
The final at Court Philippe Chatrier was a rollercoaster, played under challenging windy conditions that tested both players’ adaptability. Sabalenka, known for her powerful baseline game and newfound finesse with drop shots, roared to a 4-1 lead in the first set, capitalizing on Gauff’s early struggles with 30 double faults in the tournament. Yet Gauff, showcasing her trademark speed and defensive prowess, clawed back to level the set at 4-4, delighting spectators like Lee and Dustin Hoffman in the stands. Despite Sabalenka’s resilience in winning the tiebreak 7-5, her game unraveled in the second set, where she racked up 70 unforced errors. Gauff seized control, dominating 6-2 and carrying her momentum into the decider. In a tense final game, Sabalenka saved a match point with a blistering winner, but Gauff’s cleaner play prevailed as Sabalenka’s backhand sailed long, sealing the American’s triumph.
“I didn’t think honestly that I could do it,” Gauff admitted on court, clutching the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, presented by four-time champion Justine Henin. “I was going through a lot of dark thoughts,” she added, reflecting on her 2022 French Open final loss to Iga Swiatek. “This win was harder than the first because you don’t want to get satisfied with just that one.” Her emotional celebration, shared with her euphoric parents Candi and Corey, marked her as the first American woman to win in Paris since Serena Williams in 2015, and only the third Black woman to claim the title, alongside Williams and Althea Gibson.
The post-match spotlight, however, shifted to Sabalenka’s remarks, which many interpreted as dismissive of Gauff’s achievement. Struggling with tears, the Belarusian said, “This hurts so much… to play such terrible tennis in these conditions. Coco, you were much better than me.” In her press conference, she doubled down, suggesting, “If Iga would [have beaten] me another day, I think she would go out today and she would get the win.” Sabalenka, who had defeated Swiatek 7-6, 4-6, 6-0 in the semi-finals, implied her 70 unforced errors, not Gauff’s skill, decided the match. “She won not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes,” Sabalenka added, prompting backlash from fans who called her comments “disrespectful” and “unsportsmanlike” on social media.
Gauff, unfazed, responded with grace in her press conference. “I mean, I don’t agree with that,” she said, standing beside her trophy. “I’m here sitting here.” Referencing her recent straight-sets win over Swiatek in Madrid, she added, “No shade to Iga or anything, but last time I played her, I won in straight sets.” Gauff acknowledged Sabalenka’s formidable form, noting, “The way Aryna was playing the last few weeks, she was the favorite to win. Her being No. 1 in the world was the best person to play.” Her measured response highlighted her mental maturity, a trait lauded by analysts like Pam Shriver, who noted Gauff’s ability to “play high-margin tennis” and adapt to the windy conditions better than her opponent.
The match underscored the contrasting styles of the WTA’s top two players. Sabalenka’s aggressive, power-driven game, enhanced by her improved drop shots, met Gauff’s relentless defense and court coverage. Their head-to-head, now 6-5 in Gauff’s favor, reflects a fierce rivalry, with five of their 11 encounters going to three sets. Sabalenka’s consistency—she reached seven finals in 10 tournaments in 2025—had made her the favorite, but Gauff’s resilience shone through. “I was just trying to give myself the best chance and fight every point,” Gauff told Sloane Stephens, emphasizing her determination in a match she admitted “wasn’t pretty.”
The controversy didn’t overshadow Gauff’s historic achievement. Congratulated by figures like Barack and Michelle Obama, she spoke of her win as a beacon of hope: “There’s a lot going on in our country right now… I hope I can be a reflection of hope and light for those people.” As Sabalenka vowed to “come back stronger” and eyes Wimbledon, Gauff’s victory cements her as a force on clay, setting the stage for more epic battles in this captivating rivalry.
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