PARIS (AP) — Under the overcast skies and swirling winds of Roland-Garros, American tennis star Coco Gauff achieved a redemptive victory that etched her name into the history books. On Saturday, the 21-year-old defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping three-set final, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4, to capture her maiden French Open crown and second Grand Slam title.
This win comes three years after a harrowing loss on the same court in the 2022 final, where a then-18-year-old Gauff was overwhelmed by the occasion and crushed by Iga Swiatek. That loss had cast doubt on her future at the top of the sport. But on this day, she silenced those doubts with a gutsy and composed performance.
“I think the U.S. Open victory was more emotional, but this one was harder,” Gauff admitted. “It was about willpower and mental strength. I knew that from the beginning.”
Her victory makes her the first American woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the French Open, and the first to win a Roland-Garros final between the top two seeds since Williams defeated Maria Sharapova in 2013.
From the start, the match was a test of nerves and adaptability. Both players struggled in the opening set, combining for 48 unforced errors, with Sabalenka contributing a staggering 32. Despite that, the Belarusian edged the tiebreak. But Gauff reset, cleaned up her game, and controlled the second set. In the third, she weathered Sabalenka’s relentless pace and frustration, showing superior discipline and composure.
Sabalenka, often visibly irritated, shouted at herself, questioned her team, and made several wild errors, tallying 70 unforced mistakes by the match’s end. Gauff, meanwhile, stayed calm and focused, closing out the match on her second championship point as Sabalenka fired a backhand wide.
Overcome with emotion, Gauff collapsed onto the clay, sobbing and covering her face. She later embraced her opponent, thanked the umpire, and celebrated joyfully with her team and the crowd — including filmmaker Spike Lee, who was among her supporters.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve so much love from the French crowd,” Gauff said, visibly moved. Though she admitted failing to deliver her speech in French, she promised to improve: “I completely tanked on that. Maybe next time.”
Sabalenka, while clearly disappointed, was gracious in defeat. “Coco, congrats. In the tough conditions, you were a better player than me,” she said. “This one will hurt.”
Despite the gusty winds, misfires, and mental challenges, Gauff’s resilience proved too strong. The final may not be remembered for flawless tennis, but for the triumph of belief and perseverance — and for Coco Gauff, a full-circle moment that confirms her place among the sport’s elite.
“This one is heavy,” she said, lifting the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen with tears and pride. “It feels great to lift it.”
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