On a sun-drenched Saturday at Roland Garros, Coco Gauff etched her name into tennis history, capturing her first French Open title and second Grand Slam crown with a hard-fought victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The 21-year-old American, ranked No. 2, battled through a dramatic three-set final, overcoming a set deficit to win 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 in a match that lasted 2 hours and 38 minutes. As she hoisted the iconic Coupe Suzanne Lenglen amid roaring applause, Gauff’s emotional journey—from a tearful 2022 final loss to Iga Swiatek to this moment of redemption—culminated in tears of joy. Yet, in a lighthearted twist, Gauff later revealed that the grand trophy she celebrated with stayed in Paris, replaced by a pint-sized replica she proudly displayed in a viral TikTok video, sparking smiles and surprise among fans.
Gauff’s path to the 2025 French Open title was a testament to her resilience. Facing Sabalenka, who had dominated the clay season with titles in Madrid and a semifinal upset over Swiatek, Gauff navigated a tense first set that slipped away in a tiebreak. Undeterred, she roared back, dominating the second set with her trademark defensive prowess and heavy topspin forehand, perfectly suited for the red clay. The third set was a rollercoaster, with both players trading breaks. A pivotal moment came when Gauff won a thrilling rally, finishing with a deft net winner after Sabalenka’s between-the-legs attempt, earning a 2-1 lead. “I knew it would be one of those matches,” Gauff said post-match, reflecting on the windy conditions that challenged both players. “I was just trying to give myself the best chance and fight every point.” Her composure sealed the win, making her the first American woman to claim the French Open singles title since Serena Williams in 2015.
The emotional weight of the victory was palpable. Gauff, who at 18 had been overwhelmed by doubt in her 2022 Roland Garros final, spoke of her growth. “I was going through a lot of things when I lost this final three years ago, so it means a lot to be back and here and to win,” she said during the trophy ceremony. Addressing the French crowd, she added, “I don’t know what I did to deserve so much love from the French crowd, but I appreciate you guys.” Her speech also included a nod to Sabalenka, whom she praised as a “fighter” and the world No. 1, noting, “Every time we play each other, it’s always a challenge for me.” Sabalenka, visibly emotional, initially struggled to process the loss, lamenting her 70 unforced errors in a “terrible final.” She later clarified on social media, “Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win,” graciously acknowledging Gauff’s superiority.
The trophy saga added a charming footnote to Gauff’s triumph. In a TikTok video posted from a private jet, Gauff shared that the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen remains with the tournament, a Roland Garros tradition. Instead, champions receive a miniature replica, which she held up with a chuckle, comparing its size to a Perrier bottle. “I just won a French Open for Roland Garros, and this is the trophy that you guys see… but actually, we don’t get to take this home,” she explained. “This is the one we take home. It’s a lot smaller… but it’s the memories that matter the most.” The “adorable” replica, as she described it on NBC’s *TODAY* show, may be small, but it symbolizes a monumental achievement for the young star, who also won the 2024 French Open doubles title.
Gauff’s victory was inspired by unexpected sources. The night before the final, she stumbled upon a TikTok video of Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas discussing written manifestations. Inspired, Gauff grabbed a hotel notepad and filled it with affirmations, sealing her belief in victory. “I was telling myself, just trying to seal it in my brain,” she said. Her mental fortitude, honed since her 2023 US Open win over Sabalenka, shone through, cementing her as a “great champion” who thrives under pressure, as noted by her coach Jean-Christophe Faurel. With 10 singles and nine doubles titles, including the 2024 WTA Finals, Gauff’s star continues to rise.
As Gauff looks ahead to Wimbledon and beyond, her French Open triumph—complete with its tiny trophy—marks a defining moment. Quoting rapper Tyler the Creator, she left the crowd with a message of self-belief: “If I ever told you I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying.” For Gauff, the memories of Roland Garros 2025, not the size of the trophy, will endure.
# Coco Gauff’s French Open Triumph: A Tale of Grit and a Tiny Trophy
On a sun-drenched Saturday at Roland Garros, Coco Gauff etched her name into tennis history, capturing her first French Open title and second Grand Slam crown with a hard-fought victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The 21-year-old American, ranked No. 2, battled through a dramatic three-set final, overcoming a set deficit to win 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 in a match that lasted 2 hours and 38 minutes. As she hoisted the iconic Coupe Suzanne Lenglen amid roaring applause, Gauff’s emotional journey—from a tearful 2022 final loss to Iga Swiatek to this moment of redemption—culminated in tears of joy. Yet, in a lighthearted twist, Gauff later revealed that the grand trophy she celebrated with stayed in Paris, replaced by a pint-sized replica she proudly displayed in a viral TikTok video, sparking smiles and surprise among fans.
Gauff’s path to the 2025 French Open title was a testament to her resilience. Facing Sabalenka, who had dominated the clay season with titles in Madrid and a semifinal upset over Swiatek, Gauff navigated a tense first set that slipped away in a tiebreak. Undeterred, she roared back, dominating the second set with her trademark defensive prowess and heavy topspin forehand, perfectly suited for the red clay. The third set was a rollercoaster, with both players trading breaks. A pivotal moment came when Gauff won a thrilling rally, finishing with a deft net winner after Sabalenka’s between-the-legs attempt, earning a 2-1 lead. “I knew it would be one of those matches,” Gauff said post-match, reflecting on the windy conditions that challenged both players. “I was just trying to give myself the best chance and fight every point.” Her composure sealed the win, making her the first American woman to claim the French Open singles title since Serena Williams in 2015.
The emotional weight of the victory was palpable. Gauff, who at 18 had been overwhelmed by doubt in her 2022 Roland Garros final, spoke of her growth. “I was going through a lot of things when I lost this final three years ago, so it means a lot to be back and here and to win,” she said during the trophy ceremony. Addressing the French crowd, she added, “I don’t know what I did to deserve so much love from the French crowd, but I appreciate you guys.” Her speech also included a nod to Sabalenka, whom she praised as a “fighter” and the world No. 1, noting, “Every time we play each other, it’s always a challenge for me.” Sabalenka, visibly emotional, initially struggled to process the loss, lamenting her 70 unforced errors in a “terrible final.” She later clarified on social media, “Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win,” graciously acknowledging Gauff’s superiority.
The trophy saga added a charming footnote to Gauff’s triumph. In a TikTok video posted from a private jet, Gauff shared that the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen remains with the tournament, a Roland Garros tradition. Instead, champions receive a miniature replica, which she held up with a chuckle, comparing its size to a Perrier bottle. “I just won a French Open for Roland Garros, and this is the trophy that you guys see… but actually, we don’t get to take this home,” she explained. “This is the one we take home. It’s a lot smaller… but it’s the memories that matter the most.” The “adorable” replica, as she described it on NBC’s *TODAY* show, may be small, but it symbolizes a monumental achievement for the young star, who also won the 2024 French Open doubles title.
Gauff’s victory was inspired by unexpected sources. The night before the final, she stumbled upon a TikTok video of Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas discussing written manifestations. Inspired, Gauff grabbed a hotel notepad and filled it with affirmations, sealing her belief in victory. “I was telling myself, just trying to seal it in my brain,” she said. Her mental fortitude, honed since her 2023 US Open win over Sabalenka, shone through, cementing her as a “great champion” who thrives under pressure, as noted by her coach Jean-Christophe Faurel. With 10 singles and nine doubles titles, including the 2024 WTA Finals, Gauff’s star continues to rise.
As Gauff looks ahead to Wimbledon and beyond, her French Open triumph—complete with its tiny trophy—marks a defining moment. Quoting rapper Tyler the Creator, she left the crowd with a message of self-belief: “If I ever told you I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying.” For Gauff, the memories of Roland Garros 2025, not the size of the trophy, will endure.
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