On June 7, 2025, the red clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier bore witness to a thrilling French Open women’s final, where Coco Gauff battled past world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a dramatic 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 clash to claim her first Roland Garros title. The match, a high-stakes duel between the top two seeds, showcased Gauff’s resilience against Sabalenka’s power, but it was the Belarusian’s uncharacteristic errors that ultimately tipped the scales. Tennis legend Lindsay Davenport, a three-time Grand Slam champion, offered sharp insight into Sabalenka’s defeat, pinpointing her inability to stay composed under pressure as the critical factor. “Aryna, she didn’t stay calm, and it cost her,” Davenport said, highlighting how Sabalenka’s mental lapse in the face of challenging conditions handed Gauff the edge in a match that captivated Paris.
The final unfolded under gusty winds, testing both players’ adaptability on the iconic clay. Sabalenka, riding a wave of confidence after toppling Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, surged to a 4-1 lead in the first set, blending ferocious groundstrokes with clever drop shots. Yet, Gauff’s relentless defense and quick footwork forced Sabalenka into longer rallies, where errors began to creep in. After clinching the first set in a tight 7-5 tiebreak, Sabalenka’s game unraveled. She amassed a staggering 70 unforced errors—compared to Gauff’s 30—allowing the American to dominate the second set 6-2 and rally from a 3-1 deficit in the third to secure the victory. “She was so steady, and that’s what you need in these conditions,” Davenport said of Gauff, praising her ability to capitalize on Sabalenka’s mistakes.
Sabalenka, visibly frustrated, labeled the match “the worst final I ever played,” attributing her struggles to the windy conditions rather than Gauff’s play. “It was not about her,” she insisted, a comment that sparked debate. “The conditions were terrible, and I just couldn’t find my rhythm.” She even suggested that Swiatek, whom she defeated earlier, would have beaten Gauff in the final, a claim Gauff refuted with poise. “I don’t agree with that,” Gauff said, standing firm as the champion. “I’m here sitting here [with the trophy].” Davenport, analyzing the match, countered Sabalenka’s narrative, emphasizing that her failure to adapt mentally was decisive. “Aryna’s power is her strength, but when the conditions don’t suit her, she needs to adjust, not force it. That lack of calmness cost her dearly,” Davenport explained.
Gauff’s triumph, her second Grand Slam after the 2023 US Open, marked a historic moment as the first American woman to win Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015. Her path to the title included victories over top-10 players like Swiatek and Emma Raducanu, showcasing her clay-court prowess. “I honestly didn’t think I could do it,” Gauff admitted, tears streaming as she addressed the crowd. “You guys were cheering for me so hard, and I don’t know what I did to deserve so much love from the French crowd.” Her ability to stay composed, as Davenport noted, was evident in her 27 winners and minimal errors, a stark contrast to Sabalenka’s erratic performance. “Coco’s mental toughness is what sets her apart,” Davenport said. “She’s a fighter, and she proved it today.”
Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been a masterclass in consistency, with 40 wins in 47 matches and three titles, but her third straight Grand Slam final loss—following the Australian Open to Madison Keys—stung deeply. “This will hurt so much,” she said, fighting tears as she apologized to her team for a performance she called “a joke.” Her frustration peaked when she described Gauff’s mishits landing in play, saying, “It felt like somebody from above was just there laughing.” Despite the setback, Sabalenka’s evolution on clay, incorporating spin and defense, has made her a force, as seen in her Madrid Open win over Gauff last month. Their 5-5 head-to-head rivalry promises more battles, with Davenport predicting, “Aryna will learn from this. She’s too good not to.”
As Gauff basks in her $2.5 million prize and newfound status as the “Queen of Paris,” Sabalenka plans a brief escape to Mykonos, joking about indulging in “tequila, gummy bears, and swimming” to reset. “I just need a couple of days to completely forget about this crazy world,” she said, eyeing Wimbledon, where her power could shine. Gauff, meanwhile, looks ahead to the grass season, her mental fortitude now a benchmark for success. Davenport’s verdict underscores the fine margins in elite tennis: while Sabalenka’s talent is undeniable, it was Gauff’s composure that crowned her champion on the clay of Roland Garros.
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