In a dramatic showdown on the red clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier, Coco Gauff emerged victorious over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to claim her first French Open title on June 7, 2025, in a gripping 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 battle. The match, marked by swirling winds and intense emotion, saw Gauff overcome a set deficit to secure her second Grand Slam crown, but for Sabalenka, the defeat was a bitter pill, one she described as “the worst final I ever played.” The Belarusian’s raw post-match reflections, filled with frustration and self-criticism, laid bare the toll of a performance that unraveled under pressure and challenging conditions, leaving the tennis world buzzing with reactions to her candid assessment.
Sabalenka, chasing her fourth major title, started the final with promise, seizing a 4-1, 40-0 lead in the first set with her trademark power and deft drop shots. Yet, the windy conditions on the open-roofed court disrupted her rhythm, and Gauff’s relentless defense began to chip away at her confidence. The first set slipped into a tiebreak, which Sabalenka clinched 7-5, but her game faltered thereafter. She committed a staggering 70 unforced errors—the highest in any women’s singles match at Roland Garros 2025—compared to just 37 winners, a stark contrast to her commanding semifinal win over three-time champion Iga Swiatek. “It was really honestly the worst tennis I’ve played in the last, I don’t know how many months,” Sabalenka said, her voice heavy with disappointment. “Conditions were terrible, and she simply was better in these conditions than me.”
Gauff, the No. 2 seed, capitalized on Sabalenka’s struggles, adapting to the gusty weather with high-margin shots and supreme athleticism. Her ability to chase down balls and extend rallies forced Sabalenka into over-hitting, particularly on routine shots. “I think she won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes,” Sabalenka remarked, a comment that sparked controversy for its perceived lack of grace. Gauff, in her press conference, respectfully pushed back, saying, “I don’t agree with that. I’m here sitting here [as the champion].” She added, “No shade to Iga or anything, but last time I played her I won in straight sets. I don’t think that’s a fair thing to say, because anything can really happen.” Sabalenka’s suggestion that Swiatek would have beaten Gauff in the final further fueled debate, with fans and pundits, including Rennae Stubbs, defending Gauff’s pressure-induced victory.
The match was a tale of contrasting emotions. Gauff, who lost the 2022 French Open final as an 18-year-old, channeled past “dark thoughts” into resilience, celebrating her triumph with tears and gratitude. “I was going through a lot of things when I lost here three years ago,” she said, addressing the crowd. “I’m just happy to be here.” Sabalenka, meanwhile, fought back tears during her speech, apologizing to her team for a performance she called “a joke.” “This will hurt so much,” she said, lamenting the contrast between her stellar tournament—where she defeated Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng and Swiatek—and her final meltdown. Her frustration peaked when she claimed Gauff’s mishits, or “framing” shots, landed magically in play, adding, “It felt like somebody from above was just there laughing, saying, ‘let’s see if you can handle this.’”
Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been a masterclass in consistency, with 40 wins in 47 matches, three titles, and seven finals, including her third straight Grand Slam final. Yet, consecutive major final losses—first to Madison Keys in Melbourne, now to Gauff—sting deeply for the 27-year-old, who has transformed her game with added variety, including spin and defensive play, to conquer clay. Her Madrid Open win over Gauff last month had made her the favorite in Paris, but the American’s 5-5 head-to-head record against her, including two Grand Slam final wins, underscores their fierce rivalry. “I cannot go out there every time against her in the finals of the Grand Slam and play such terrible tennis,” Sabalenka said, vowing to learn from the defeat.
As Gauff basks in her $2.5 million prize and status as the first American woman to win Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015, Sabalenka plans a brief escape to Mykonos, joking about indulging in “tequila, gummy bears, and swimming” to reset. “I just need a couple of days to completely forget about this crazy world,” she said, aiming to recharge before the grass-court season, where her powerful game makes her a Wimbledon favorite, per Greg Rusedski. Despite the heartbreak, Sabalenka’s resolve remains unshaken: “As always, I will come back stronger.” For now, Gauff’s triumph and Sabalenka’s raw honesty have set the stage for a compelling rivalry as tennis shifts to the lawns of London.
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