In a heart-pounding clash on June 7, 2025, Coco Gauff outlasted world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to claim her maiden French Open title, winning 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 on the windswept clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier. The two-hour, 38-minute battle saw Gauff overcome a one-set deficit to secure her second Grand Slam, joining Serena Williams and Althea Gibson as the third Black woman to win Roland Garros. Sabalenka, visibly devastated by her second consecutive Grand Slam final loss, initially struggled to process the defeat, tearfully calling it the “worst final I ever played.” Yet, in a heartfelt Instagram post the following day, the Belarusian struck a defiant and reflective tone, sharing her resolve to come back stronger. “Tough loss today but proud of how I competed in Roland Garros this year. Hungrier than ever…” she wrote, signaling her determination to rebound as the tennis world shifts focus to Wimbledon.
The final was a rollercoaster, with Sabalenka seizing early momentum, leading 4-1 in the first set with her signature power and deft drop shots. However, Gauff’s supreme athleticism and defensive prowess turned the tide, forcing Sabalenka into a staggering 70 unforced errors—more than double Gauff’s 30. “It was super tough when I walked on the court and felt the wind because we warmed up with the roof closed,” Gauff said, highlighting her mental fortitude in adapting to the gusty conditions. Sabalenka, by contrast, admitted to being “overemotional,” lamenting that she “didn’t handle myself quite well mentally.” Her frustration spilled over in the post-match press conference, where she controversially suggested that Iga Swiatek, whom she defeated in the semi-finals, would have beaten Gauff. “If Iga had beaten me the other day, I think she would have gone out today and gotten the win,” Sabalenka said, sparking backlash for appearing to downplay Gauff’s victory.
Gauff responded with grace, rejecting Sabalenka’s claim. “I mean, I don’t agree with that. I’m here sitting here [as the champion],” she said, noting her recent straight-sets win over Swiatek in Madrid. “The way Aryna was playing the last few weeks, she was the favourite to win. Her being No. 1 in the world was the best person to play.” Fans and pundits were quick to criticize Sabalenka’s remarks, with one calling them “disrespectful” and another labeling her a “sore loser.” Australian great Rennae Stubbs defended Gauff, writing, “The reason she made so many [errors] is because she’s playing the best defender and athlete in the game.” Despite the controversy, Sabalenka’s on-court speech showed sportsmanship, as she fought back tears to congratulate her opponent. “Coco, congrats. In these tough conditions, you were a better player than me,” she said. “You’re a fighter, a hard worker.”
Sabalenka’s social media message marked a shift from raw disappointment to resilience. Accompanied by footage of her tournament highlights, including her semi-final upset over Swiatek, ending the Pole’s 26-match Roland Garros winning streak, her post reflected pride in reaching her first clay-court Grand Slam final. “I guess you just have to take a step back, learn, and go out there and be better,” she said in her press conference, a sentiment echoed in her Instagram caption. The Belarusian, who has won three of seven finals in 2025 and leads the WTA with 40 wins in 47 matches, plans to recharge in Mykonos, humorously citing “tequila, gummy bears, and swimming” to escape “this crazy world.” Her lighthearted remark belied the pain of her third loss in six Grand Slam finals, a record that includes defeats to Gauff in the 2023 US Open and Madison Keys in the 2025 Australian Open.
The tennis community sees Sabalenka as a Wimbledon favorite, with former British No. 1 Greg Rusedski noting, “The grass courts are much higher bouncing now, which suits her game.” Her powerful serve and aggressive baseline play could shine in London, where no woman has won consecutive titles since Serena Williams in 2015-16. Gauff, meanwhile, celebrated her triumph with an emotional Instagram post: “Waking up and starting to realize it was indeed not a dream. This means the world… I’m still in shock.” Her victory, backed by endorsements from Barack Obama and Chris Evert, positions her as a rising star, with $27.3 million in career earnings. As Sabalenka reflects on her “terrible” final, her hunger for redemption and Gauff’s emergence signal a riveting rivalry poised to dominate the WTA for years to come.
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