On a balmy evening at Roland Garros, Coco Gauff etched her name into tennis history on June 7, 2025, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in an enthralling French Open final, 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-4, to claim her second Grand Slam singles title. The 21-year-old American’s gritty performance on the clay, overcoming a first-set deficit and windy conditions, marked her as the first American woman to win in Paris since Serena Williams in 2015. However, the post-match narrative was dominated by Sabalenka’s pointed remarks, which Gauff deemed “unfair,” igniting a heated debate that rippled through the tennis community.
The final was a showcase of contrasting styles. Sabalenka, riding a wave of dominance with seven finals in ten tournaments this year, unleashed 47 winners but was plagued by 68 unforced errors. Gauff, known for her defensive prowess, weathered an early storm as Sabalenka surged to a 4-1 lead in the American’s first set. Undaunted, Gauff leveled the score, only to falter in a 7-2 tiebreak. The second set saw Gauff’s relentless court coverage and tactical acumen take over, capitalizing on Sabalenka’s erratic play to cruise 6-2. In the decider, Gauff held firm, clinching the match on her second match point as Sabalenka’s forehand went astray. “I didn’t think I could do it,” Gauff admitted, cradling the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen. “This one’s tougher than the 2023 US Open because you don’t want to get comfortable with just one [title].”
The victory, watched by luminaries like Dustin Hoffman, was a testament to Gauff’s growth. Her parents, Candi and Corey, erupted in celebration, recalling her 2022 French Open final loss to Iga Świątek. “I was going through some dark thoughts back then,” Gauff shared, her voice thick with emotion. “To win here, where I’ve fought so hard, means everything.” Her triumph made her only the third Black woman to win the French Open, following Williams and Althea Gibson, a milestone she hoped would inspire: “With everything happening in our country, I want to be a light of hope.”
Sabalenka’s post-match comments, however, cast a shadow. Visibly emotional, the Belarusian said, “This hurts… to play such terrible tennis in these conditions. Coco, you were much better than me today.” In her press conference, she elaborated, “If I’d played Iga another day, I think she’d have won today. Coco didn’t win because she played incredible; I just made all those mistakes.” The remarks, suggesting her 68 errors handed Gauff the title, drew ire from fans who flooded social media with accusations of “poor sportsmanship” and “disrespect.”
Gauff, poised beyond her years, addressed the comments head-on. “I think it’s unfair to say that,” she said, standing beside her trophy. “I’m here with the title. I played the match, and I won.” Referencing her recent 6-3, 6-4 victory over Świątek in Madrid, Gauff added, “No shade to Iga, but I’ve beaten her before. Aryna was the favorite, being No. 1 and playing so well. To say it was just her mistakes isn’t fair to the work I put in.” Her response, lauded by analysts like Pam Shriver for its maturity, highlighted Gauff’s ability to rise above the fray. “I respect Aryna’s game,” Gauff noted. “She’s tough to play, and our matches are always battles.”
The rivalry, now 6-5 in Gauff’s favor, has become a cornerstone of the WTA Tour. Their 11 encounters, five of which have gone to three sets, underscore their competitive fire. Sabalenka’s semi-final demolition of Świątek, 7-6, 4-6, 6-0, had cemented her as the favorite, but Gauff’s adaptability in the wind—where she committed 22 fewer unforced errors—proved decisive. “I just tried to fight for every point,” Gauff told Sloane Stephens post-match, acknowledging the match’s scrappy nature. “It wasn’t pretty, but I got it done.”
As Sabalenka vowed to “come back stronger” for Wimbledon, Gauff’s victory solidified her clay-court credentials. Congratulated by figures like Michelle Obama, she spoke of broader impact: “I hope kids watching see they can dream big.” The controversy, while stinging, only amplified Gauff’s resolve. With Wimbledon and the US Open looming, this latest chapter in their rivalry promises more electrifying clashes, as Gauff cements her place among tennis’s elite.
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