The 2025 French Open women’s final at Roland Garros delivered a spectacle of athletic prowess and raw emotion, as Coco Gauff outlasted world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 battle on June 7, 2025. The 21-year-old American’s second Grand Slam title, making her only the third Black woman to win the French Open after Althea Gibson and Serena Williams, was a testament to her resilience on the windy clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier. However, the post-match drama, ignited by Sabalenka’s remarks and amplified by Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs, stole headlines, casting a shadow over Gauff’s historic victory.
Gauff’s path to the title was anything but easy. Facing a formidable opponent in Sabalenka, who had bulldozed through the draw, including a commanding 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0 semifinal win over defending champion Iga Swiatek, Gauff found herself a set down and battling gusty conditions. Yet, her defensive brilliance and mental fortitude shone through. “It was tough. I don’t think either of us were playing great, but I knew as soon as I stepped in the court, when I felt that it was windy, it was going to be one of those matches,” Gauff told Sloane Stephens post-match. Her ability to adapt, forcing Sabalenka into 70 unforced errors compared to 37 winners, proved decisive in the two-hour, 28-minute clash.
Sabalenka, visibly shaken by the loss, struggled to mask her frustration during the trophy ceremony, accepting her runner-up plate in tears. In her press conference, she vented, “It felt like a joke, honestly, like somebody from above was just staying there laughing, saying ‘let’s see if you can handle this.’” She added, “She won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes.” These comments, perceived as dismissive of Gauff’s performance, drew sharp criticism, particularly from Stubbs, who labeled them “rude” on social media. “For the people out there saying well it’s cause Sabalenka made 70 UF errors. The reason she made so many, is because she’s is playing the best defender & athlete in the game,” Stubbs wrote, praising Gauff’s ability to exploit Sabalenka’s aggression under pressure.
Stubbs, a former doubles No. 1 and respected voice in tennis, didn’t stop there. She highlighted the challenging conditions, noting, “It was windy and difficulty conditions and Coco handled it better cause she made more balls! Again, that’s clay and tennis.” Her defense of Gauff underscored the American’s tactical acumen, using her speed and spin-heavy forehand to disrupt Sabalenka’s rhythm. Gauff, responding with characteristic poise, dismissed Sabalenka’s remarks. “I don’t agree with that. I’m here sitting here [with the trophy],” she said, emphasizing her belief in her ability to compete against any opponent, including Swiatek, whom Sabalenka suggested would have won had she reached the final.
The controversy took a turn when Sabalenka, facing backlash, clarified her comments on Instagram the following day. “Yesterday was a tough one. Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win,” she wrote, acknowledging Gauff’s superior play. “I made over 70 unforced errors, so I can’t pretend it was a great day for me. But both things can be true… I didn’t play my best, and Coco stepped up and played with poise and purpose.” While her statement aimed to quell the firestorm, the initial remarks had already sparked debate about sportsmanship in the high-stakes world of professional tennis.
This wasn’t the first time Gauff and Sabalenka’s rivalry has stirred emotions. Their head-to-head, now 6-5 in Gauff’s favor, includes intense battles like Sabalenka’s 6-3, 7-6(3) win in the 2025 Madrid Open final. Gauff’s victory in Paris, however, was a milestone, elevating her to world No. 2 and solidifying her status as a clay-court force. “I’m just enjoying this one,” she said, deflecting questions about future titles. For Sabalenka, the loss marked a missed opportunity for her fourth major, but her resilience suggests she’ll remain a formidable contender.
As the tennis world moves to Wimbledon, the French Open final’s fallout serves as a reminder of the fine line between passion and decorum. Gauff’s grace under fire, both on and off the court, cements her as a rising star, while Sabalenka’s raw honesty, though controversial, reflects the intense emotions that fuel the sport’s greatest battles.
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