In a thrilling clash of titans at the 2025 French Open, Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American prodigy, clinched her first Roland Garros title, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a dramatic three-set final, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4. The victory on June 7, 2025, at Court Philippe-Chatrier marked Gauff’s second Grand Slam singles crown, echoing her 2023 US Open triumph where she also overcame Sabalenka in a comeback from a set down. The parallels were uncanny, as Sabalenka, despite her ferocious power, succumbed to a familiar fate, undone by 70 unforced errors in a match defined by gusting winds and relentless pressure from Gauff’s defensive brilliance. “I honestly didn’t think I could do it,” Gauff admitted during the trophy presentation, her voice trembling with emotion as she kissed the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, presented by four-time champion Justine Henin. “I was going through a lot of dark thoughts.”
The match, lasting 2 hours and 38 minutes, was a rollercoaster of momentum swings under challenging conditions, with 30 mph winds swirling across the open-roofed stadium. Sabalenka, the 27-year-old Belarusian with three Grand Slam titles, stormed to a 4-1 lead in the first set, her punishing groundstrokes and deft drop shots overwhelming Gauff early. “She’s going to come out aggressive, she’s going to come out swinging,” Gauff had predicted before the match, and Sabalenka delivered, breaking Gauff twice. Yet, Gauff’s resilience shone through. Trailing 4-1, she clawed back, capitalizing on Sabalenka’s double faults and erratic forehand to force a tiebreak. Sabalenka, regaining her composure, claimed the first set 7-5 after a 77-minute battle, but her frustration was palpable as Gauff’s speed turned would-be winners into extended rallies.
The second set saw Gauff seize control, her fleet-footed defense and precise counterattacks exploiting Sabalenka’s unraveling game. Breaking early, Gauff surged to a 6-2 rout, her 81% first-serve win rate a stark contrast to her shaky opening set. “I just knew that if I didn’t give it my all, I had no shot at winning,” Gauff later reflected, channeling the mental fortitude that defined her 2023 US Open comeback. The deciding set was a test of nerves, with Gauff breaking for a 2-1 lead after a stunning rally where she chased down a Sabalenka lob and finished with a net winner. Sabalenka, visibly rattled, broke back to level at 3-3, but her 69 unforced errors—over 55% of Gauff’s points—proved her undoing. On Gauff’s second match point, Sabalenka’s backhand sailed wide, and Gauff collapsed onto the clay, sobbing with joy before embracing her rival. “This hurts so much,” Sabalenka said, tears streaming during her speech. “Congratulations to Coco—she was a better player than me.”
Gauff’s victory, her first major title since the 2023 US Open, made her the first American woman to win Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015. It was a redemption arc three years in the making, after her 2022 French Open final loss to Iga Świątek left her in a “dark place.” “I’m just glad to be back here,” Gauff said, thanking the roaring Parisian crowd, including celebrities like Spike Lee and Dustin Hoffman, who cheered her on. “The crowd really helped me today, you guys were cheering for me so hard.” Her parents, Candi and Corey, danced in the stands, their pride evident as Gauff FaceTimed home post-match. Sabalenka, gracious in defeat, praised Gauff’s fight: “You played unbelievable.”
This final, the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 clash at Roland Garros since 2013, highlighted Gauff’s evolution from teenage prodigy to Grand Slam mainstay. Her 70th career Grand Slam win, a feat unmatched by any player her age since Maria Sharapova in 2007, underscored her clay-court prowess. Sabalenka, despite her loss, remains a force, with her third consecutive major final and 40-6 record in 2025. “I think this [Grand Slam] win was harder than the first because you don’t want to get satisfied with just that one,” Gauff said, her eyes fixed on the future. As she prepares for Wimbledon, where Sabalenka aims to complete her Grand Slam collection, Gauff’s triumph signals her readiness to challenge the sport’s elite, her speed and spirit a beacon for American tennis.
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