Three years after her heart-wrenching defeat in the 2022 French Open final, Coco Gauff has opened up with a candid reflection that sheds new light on her journey as a tennis phenom. At just 21 years old, the American star has already carved out an impressive career, with a U.S. Open title in 2023 and a doubles championship at Roland Garros in 2024. Yet, as she prepares for the 2025 French Open, Gauff has revealed the lingering emotional weight of her 2022 loss to Iga Świątek, a match that left her fearing she might never overcome the setback.
At 18, Gauff stepped onto the grand stage of Court Philippe-Chatrier, facing the formidable Świątek, who was on her way to becoming a clay-court legend. The match was a stark lesson in high-stakes tennis, with Świątek dominating 6-1, 6-3. For Gauff, the defeat was more than a professional loss; it was a moment that shook her confidence to its core. “I think immediately after it was a tough feeling for me,” Gauff admitted, reflecting on the crushing disappointment. She revealed that the loss left her grappling with doubts, wondering if she would ever surmount such a significant setback on one of tennis’s biggest stages.
Despite the pain of that moment, Gauff’s resilience has shone through in the years since. Her recent performances on the European clay courts have been nothing short of inspiring. In the lead-up to the 2025 French Open, Gauff reached the finals of both the Madrid Open and the Italian Open, showcasing her growing prowess on the red dirt. However, she fell short in both, losing to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid and Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in Rome. These defeats, while stinging, have not deterred her. Instead, Gauff is channeling them into motivation. “Hopefully I can get to the final in Roland Garros and maybe the ‘third time is a charm’ thing is a real thing,” she said with a hopeful laugh, displaying her ability to find optimism even in defeat.
Gauff’s journey on clay this season has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. After a challenging start to 2025, marked by early exits in tournaments like Indian Wells, the Middle East swings, Miami, and Stuttgart, she found her rhythm in Madrid. There, she delivered a stunning 6-1, 6-1 upset over Świątek, handing the four-time French Open champion her most lopsided clay-court loss ever. This victory was a testament to Gauff’s growth, showing she could compete with the best on a surface where Świątek has long reigned supreme. Yet, the Madrid final against Sabalenka slipped through her fingers, and in Rome, Paolini’s home-crowd energy proved too much, as Gauff struggled with 55 unforced errors and seven double faults in a 6-4, 6-2 loss.
As the No. 2 seed at the 2025 French Open, Gauff enters with a favorable draw, facing Australia’s Olivia Gadecki, ranked No. 93, in her opening match. Her path to the final could include familiar foes like Mirra Andreeva, whom she recently defeated on clay, or Jessica Pegula, a compatriot less comfortable on the surface. However, a potential final against Sabalenka looms, with their head-to-head record tied at five wins apiece, though Sabalenka has won two of their last three encounters. Gauff’s confidence remains unshaken. “I made the final with those errors. Made the final maybe not playing my best tennis,” she noted, emphasizing her ability to reach high stakes despite imperfections.
Gauff’s evolution extends beyond her on-court performance. Her self-deprecating humor and grace under pressure have endeared her to fans. After an embarrassing overhead whiff during her Italian Open run, she took to social media with a lighthearted caption: “If you saw me whiff an overhead today… no you didn’t 💀 at least it landed out lol.” This humility, paired with her fierce determination, paints a picture of a young star who is both relatable and relentlessly driven.
As she heads to Paris, Gauff is not just chasing a second Grand Slam title but also redemption. Her 2022 French Open final loss, once a source of fear, has become a catalyst for growth. “I always think if someone wins a tournament that many times, regardless of what shape they’re in, they can definitely figure out a way to win again,” Gauff said of Świątek, acknowledging her rival’s prowess while signaling her own readiness to challenge for the title. With her recent clay-court consistency—reaching at least the quarterfinals at Roland Garros every year since 2021—Gauff is poised to make a deep run. Whether she can finally lift the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen remains to be seen, but her honest reflection and unyielding spirit make her a formidable contender on the Parisian clay.
# Coco Gauff’s Redemption Quest at the 2025 French Open
## A Lingering Shadow from 2022
Three years ago, an 18-year-old Coco Gauff faced Iga Świątek in the 2022 French Open final, a match that ended in a swift 6-1, 6-3 defeat. The loss left a deep mark, with Gauff recently admitting, “I think immediately after it was a tough feeling for me.” She feared the setback might define her, casting doubt on her ability to recover from such a high-profile loss.
## Rising Above Setbacks
Since that day, Gauff has transformed her pain into progress. Now 21, she’s a U.S. Open champion (2023) and a French Open doubles winner (2024). Her 2025 clay season has been a mix of brilliance and near-misses, with finals appearances in Madrid and Rome. Despite losses to Aryna Sabalenka and Jasmine Paolini, Gauff remains optimistic, saying, “Hopefully I can get to the final in Roland Garros and maybe the ‘third time is a charm’ thing is a real thing.”
## Clay-Court Resurgence
Gauff’s clay-court game has evolved significantly. Her standout moment came in Madrid, where she crushed Świątek 6-1, 6-1, proving she can challenge the best. Though she faltered in the finals, her consistency—reaching at least the quarterfinals at Roland Garros every year since 2021—marks her as a top contender. “I made the final with those errors. Made the final maybe not playing my best tennis,” she reflected, highlighting her ability to compete at a high level despite imperfections.
## A Favorable Path in Paris
As the No. 2 seed, Gauff faces Olivia Gadecki in her opening match at the 2025 French Open. Her draw offers a manageable path, with potential matchups against Mirra Andreeva or Jessica Pegula before a possible final against Sabalenka. Gauff’s recent victories over Andreeva and her 10-2 clay record in 2025 bolster her confidence.
## A Star with Heart
Beyond her athletic prowess, Gauff’s humility shines. After an embarrassing overhead miss in Rome, she laughed it off online: “If you saw me whiff an overhead today… no you didn’t 💀 at least it landed out lol.” Fans adore her authenticity, with one calling her “the most adorable person.” As Gauff eyes redemption in Paris, her blend of talent, resilience, and charm makes her a player to watch.
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