On June 7, 2025, Coco Gauff etched her name into tennis history, capturing the French Open women’s singles title with a hard-fought 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a pulsating final at Roland Garros. The 21-year-old American, ranked No. 2, claimed her second Grand Slam crown, becoming the first American woman to hoist the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen since Serena Williams in 2015. For Gauff, the win was deeply personal. “This was a tournament I really wanted,” she admitted post-match, reflecting on her journey since losing the 2022 final to Iga Swiatek. Yet, she was candid about the match’s quality, calling it “not pretty” due to its 70 combined unforced errors and challenging windy conditions.
The final, played on a blustery Court Philippe-Chatrier, was a test of endurance and mental strength. Sabalenka, known for her explosive power, started strong, storming to a 4-1 lead in the first set with a mix of blistering groundstrokes and delicate drop shots. Gauff, however, showcased her trademark tenacity, battling back to force a tiebreak. Sabalenka edged it 7-5, but her game faltered as errors crept in. “It was honestly the worst tennis I’ve played in I don’t know how many months,” Sabalenka lamented, her frustration evident as she tallied 70 unforced errors, the highest in any women’s singles match at the tournament.
Gauff seized the moment in the second set, leveraging her speed and defensive prowess to frustrate Sabalenka. “I was going through a lot of dark thoughts,” Gauff said, recalling her 2022 loss. “I’m just glad to be back here.” She dominated the second set 6-2, leveling the match as the Parisian crowd roared her on. “The crowd really helped me today, you guys were cheering for me so hard,” she said, crediting their energy for her momentum. The third set was a tense affair, with both players trading breaks. On her second match point, Gauff watched Sabalenka’s backhand sail long, collapsing onto the clay in tears of disbelief and joy.
The emotional weight of the victory was palpable. “I didn’t think honestly that I could do it,” Gauff confessed, quoting rapper Tyler, the Creator: “If I ever told you that I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying.” Her family, including parents Candi and Corey, celebrated wildly in the stands, their joy mirroring the significance of the moment. Gauff’s win marked her as the youngest woman to reach finals in Madrid, Rome, and Paris in the same year, cementing her status as a clay-court force.
Sabalenka, visibly devastated, fought back tears as she addressed the crowd. “This hurts so much,” she said, before graciously adding, “Coco, you were a better player than me.” She attributed her struggles to the wind and Gauff’s relentless defense, joking, “Honestly, sometimes it felt like she was hitting the ball from the frame. Somehow magically the ball lands in the court.” Her post-match comments stirred controversy when she suggested Swiatek would have beaten Gauff in the final. Gauff responded diplomatically, saying, “I don’t think that’s a fair thing to say, because anything can really happen.”
The match was a rematch of their 2023 US Open final, where Gauff also rallied from a set down to win. Their rivalry, now tied at 5-5, has produced five three-set thrillers, showcasing their contrasting styles—Sabalenka’s power against Gauff’s speed. Despite the loss, Sabalenka’s 2025 season remains stellar, with a 40-7 record and seven finals. She plans to recharge in Mykonos, humorously citing “tequila, gummy bears, and swimming” as her recovery plan before Wimbledon.
For Gauff, the victory is a milestone in a career already marked by cultural impact. “I hope to be a reflection of hope and light for people that look like me in America,” she said, addressing broader social challenges. With over $25 million in endorsements in 2024, her influence extends beyond the court. As she prepares for the grass season, Gauff’s French Open triumph sets the stage for a thrilling summer, while Sabalenka’s tears fuel her resolve to return stronger in their next chapter.
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