Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis sensation, has heaped praise on world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, pinpointing the one quality that sets the Belarusian apart on the WTA Tour: consistency. As the 2025 French Open unfolds, both players have stormed through their opening matches at Roland Garros, with Sabalenka crushing Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1, 6-0 and Gauff securing a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Olivia Gadecki. Speaking after her first-round win, Gauff highlighted Sabalenka’s ability to maintain an unrelenting level of performance, a trait that has propelled her to the top of the rankings and made her a formidable force in women’s tennis. “Probably consistency,” Gauff said in her press conference, reflecting on what Sabalenka does better than anyone else. “To be number one, you have to win a lot. Aryna has been winning a lot.” As Gauff chases her second Grand Slam title and aims to close the gap on Sabalenka’s top ranking, her words underscore the mutual respect between two of the WTA’s brightest stars.
Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been a masterclass in sustained excellence. With 30 match wins, more than any other player on the tour, she has reached six WTA finals in the first four months, a feat not accomplished since Martina Hingis in 2001. Her titles at the Australian Open and US Open in 2024, followed by WTA 1000 victories in Cincinnati and Wuhan, have solidified her position as the year-end No. 1. “Honestly, I wasn’t even thinking about that, but it sounds crazy—that’s crazy that I’m playing on such a high level,” Sabalenka said after reaching her fourth consecutive final in Madrid. Her ability to manage a grueling schedule, navigating physical and mental demands, has been key. Gauff, who has faced Sabalenka 10 times with a 5-4 head-to-head lead, noted, “I think just consistency on tour, and each year you learn how to manage that consistency. It’s not easy when you are winning.” Sabalenka’s seven consecutive WTA 1000 semifinal wins, including a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Elina Svitolina in Madrid, highlight her ability to perform under pressure.
Gauff’s admiration for Sabalenka is rooted in their competitive yet respectful rivalry. Their 2025 Madrid Open final, where Gauff’s 6-1, 6-1 demolition of Iga Swiatek set up a clash with Sabalenka, was a testament to their high-level battles. “We had a lot of great battles against each other, very tough ones, very close ones,” Sabalenka said, emphasizing her approach: “I’ll just go out there and I’ll fight for every point—that’s the best preparation you can have against someone like Coco.” Gauff’s defensive prowess and improved serve, which she credited after her WTA Finals semifinal win over Sabalenka (7-6(4), 6-3), have made their matchups thrilling. “I knew I had worked hard on my serve since [Wuhan],” Gauff said, referencing her 21 double faults in their previous encounter. “I knew if I could cut that in half, I would give myself a better chance.” Her 20-4 record against top-10 players when winning the first set underscores her ability to seize momentum against elite opponents like Sabalenka.
The French Open has reignited discussions about their rivalry, with both players in opposite halves of the draw, potentially setting up a final showdown. Sabalenka’s near-flawless first-round performance, with just one game lost, showcased her power and precision, while Gauff’s win over Gadecki highlighted her speed and backhand solidity. Gauff’s journey to the 2024 WTA Finals final, where she defeated Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen to claim the title and a record $4.8 million prize, marked a high point in her season. “I’m happy with the way I played,” Gauff said after that victory. “She’s world No. 1 for a reason.” Yet, Sabalenka’s consistency, even in defeat, remains her defining trait, as she saved 39 of 50 break points in Madrid and maintained a 4,000-point lead over Swiatek in the rankings.
Off the court, both players have pushed for greater visibility for women’s tennis. Gauff, a social media-savvy star, has called for more TikTok content and crossover events with the ATP, stating, “A lot more TikToks and following the trends that a lot of the other sports are doing.” Sabalenka, meanwhile, has embraced her role as a fan favorite, celebrating her 27th birthday in Rome with balloons and a luxury watch from her boyfriend. As they navigate Roland Garros, with Swiatek and Raducanu looming as threats, Gauff’s respect for Sabalenka’s consistency highlights the challenge ahead. Whether it’s Sabalenka’s relentless winning streak or Gauff’s resilient fight, their rivalry promises to captivate tennis fans on the Parisian clay.
# Coco Gauff Praises Aryna Sabalenka’s Unmatched Consistency at French Open
## A Rising Star’s Perspective
Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis prodigy, has lauded world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka for her unmatched consistency on the WTA Tour. Speaking after her 6-3, 6-2 first-round win over Olivia Gadecki at the 2025 French Open, Gauff said, “Probably consistency. To be number one, you have to win a lot. Aryna has been winning a lot.” As both players advance at Roland Garros, Gauff’s praise highlights the challenge posed by Sabalenka’s relentless form.
## Sabalenka’s Dominant 2025
Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been stellar, with 30 match wins and six WTA finals, including titles at the 2024 Australian and US Opens. “Honestly, I wasn’t even thinking about that, but it sounds crazy—that’s crazy that I’m playing on such a high level,” she said after reaching her fourth straight final in Madrid. Her seven consecutive WTA 1000 semifinal wins and 4,000-point rankings lead over Iga Swiatek underscore her ability to manage a demanding schedule, as Gauff noted: “It’s not easy when you are winning.”
## A Thrilling Rivalry
Gauff leads their head-to-head 5-4, with their 2025 Madrid final showcasing their competitive dynamic. “We had a lot of great battles against each other, very tough ones,” Sabalenka said. Gauff’s 7-6(4), 6-3 WTA Finals win over Sabalenka, where she cut her double faults to two, was a turning point. “I knew if I could cut that in half, I would give myself a better chance,” Gauff said. Her 20-4 record against top-10 players when winning the first set highlights her edge.
## Roland Garros Spotlight
Sabalenka’s 6-1, 6-0 rout of Kamilla Rakhimova and Gauff’s solid performance against Gadecki set the stage for a potential final clash. Gauff’s WTA Finals triumph, earning $4.8 million, showed her growth. “I’m happy with the way I played,” she said. “She’s world No. 1 for a reason.” Sabalenka’s 39 break points saved in Madrid reflect her resilience.
## Off-Court Impact
Both players advocate for women’s tennis visibility. Gauff pushes for more social media content, saying, “A lot more TikToks and following the trends.” Sabalenka, celebrating her birthday in Rome, remains a fan favorite. As they navigate Roland Garros, their rivalry and mutual respect promise a thrilling tournament.
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