Coco Gauff’s electrifying victory at the 2025 French Open cemented her as a rising titan in women’s tennis, but it was her lighthearted revelation about the tournament’s trophy that left former American pros in disbelief. The 21-year-old American, who battled past World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 final on June 7, 2025, clinched her second Grand Slam title and became the first American woman to win at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015. Yet, the jubilation of hoisting the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen was tempered by a surprising discovery: Gauff couldn’t take the iconic trophy home. Instead, she was handed a miniature replica, a quirky French Open tradition that sparked amusement and debate among tennis luminaries.
The final was a showcase of Gauff’s resilience. Facing windy conditions on Court Philippe-Chatrier with the roof open, she navigated a tense first-set tiebreak loss before seizing control with her trademark defense and mental fortitude. “When I stepped on the court, I was aware of the wind,” Gauff said. “I knew it was gonna be an ugly win.” Her ability to force Sabalenka into 70 unforced errors while maintaining composure earned her the $2.9 million prize and her first clay-court major. “I had to force her to play that way and make a lot of balls and put those balls in the court,” she told reporters, praising Sabalenka as a “fighter” and “tough opponent.” The victory marked a full-circle moment for Gauff, who had fallen to Iga Swiatek in the 2022 final and endured “dark thoughts” after that loss. “I’m just glad to be back here,” she said, reflecting on her journey. “Three finals … I guess I got the most important win.”
However, the post-match spotlight shifted to Gauff’s humorous TikTok video, filmed on her flight back to the U.S., where she revealed the trophy twist. “The trophy that you guys saw me take pictures with and do press with, we don’t get to take that home,” she explained, holding up a replica barely taller than a Perrier bottle. “It’s a lot smaller … but it’s the memories that matter most.” The revelation stunned former pros like Steve Johnson, who exclaimed, “But why? This is crazy. Give her the big one!” John Isner, shaking his head, countered, “Not that big one,” while Johnson clarified, “Not asking them to give the real one, but they can definitely give the replica. You know, like the men’s side won 21 straight sets and battle for far too long to get a little miniature trophy.” Gauff, ever gracious, noted, “It’s very pretty and it’s like a miniature version of the trophy,” but the size discrepancy sparked a broader conversation about tournament traditions.
Gauff’s journey to the title was anything but easy. After a shaky start to 2025, she hit her stride on clay, reaching finals in Madrid and Rome. At Roland Garros, she dropped just one set, defeating players like Ekaterina Alexandrova and Madison Keys before crushing home favorite Loïs Boisson 6-1, 6-2 in the semifinals. Her emotional maturity shone through, especially after Sabalenka’s post-match comments attributing her loss to her own mistakes rather than Gauff’s brilliance. “I think she won the match not because she played incredible; just because I made all of those mistakes,” Sabalenka said, later softening her stance on Instagram: “Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win.” Gauff, appearing on *Good Morning America*, responded diplomatically: “I was a little bit surprised about the comments … but I’m gonna give her the benefit of the doubt. I’m sure it was an emotional day.”
The win carried deeper significance for Gauff, who saw it as a beacon of hope amid America’s political climate. “There’s a lot going on in our country right now,” she said. “I’m proud to represent Americans that look like me … who maybe don’t feel as supported during this time period.” Her emotional post-match moment, collapsing on the clay and climbing into the stands to embrace her parents, Candi and Corey, resonated widely. A video of her parents’ joyous celebration, posted by actor Leon Robinson, moved Gauff to tears on Instagram, where she wrote, “my parents” with a teary emoji.
As Gauff prepares for Wimbledon 2025, starting June 30, her French Open triumph and candid trophy tale have solidified her as a star who balances fierce competitiveness with relatable charm. Quoting rapper Tyler, The Creator—“If I ever told you I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying”—she affirmed her belief in herself, a mindset that promises more historic victories ahead.
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