American tennis star Coco Gauff won her first French Open singles title on Saturday, beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a tense, three-set final. The 21-year-old second seed came back from a set down to win 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-4 at Roland Garros.
This marks Gauff’s second Grand Slam singles victory, after winning the US Open in 2023. In both finals, she defeated Sabalenka, 27, from Belarus.
“I honestly didn’t think I could do it,” Gauff said emotionally during the trophy presentation.
She had a shaky start, trailing by two breaks in the opening set. But Gauff fought back, stayed focused, and took advantage of Sabalenka’s 70 unforced errors.
“This hurts so much. Congratulations to Coco — she was a better player than me,” Sabalenka said during her runner-up speech.
A Comeback That Tells a Story of Growth and Strength
Windy conditions in Paris made the final tough for both players. Their serves were affected, resulting in 12 service breaks in the first two sets. The tennis was gritty rather than graceful, but it was exciting.
Gauff found her rhythm in the third set. She got a break early and held firm. Sabalenka saved one match point, but on the second, she hit a forehand wide. Gauff dropped to the clay court in disbelief, smiling through tears.
Her parents, Candi and Corey, celebrated joyfully in the stands. Gauff shared a heartfelt hug with Sabalenka before rushing off the court to celebrate with her team.
Gauff’s win makes her the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015. That moment adds to a growing legacy many believe will only get stronger.
From Teenage Tears to Triumph in Paris
Gauff lost her first French Open final in 2022. Then just a teenager, she wept under her towel after losing to Iga Swiatek. She had promised to return stronger.
“I was going through a lot of things when I lost here three years ago,” Gauff said. “I’m just glad to be back here. I was going through a lot of dark thoughts.”
Now, she returns as a more experienced, more confident Grand Slam champion. Her strong performances in the clay season — reaching the Madrid and Rome finals — prepared her for this title run.
“Three finals… I guess I got the most important win — that’s all that matters,” she said with a smile.
Gauff’s mental strength stood out as she battled through Sabalenka’s power game. Despite a high-pressure situation, she held her nerve. This resilience, combined with her ever-growing skills, cements her status as a top name in tennis.
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Sabalenka’s Struggles Continue on Clay Courts
Sabalenka has dominated hard courts, winning titles at the Australian Open and US Open. She has also improved on clay, reaching this year’s French Open final for the first time.
She made history by becoming the first player since Serena Williams in 2017 to reach 10 consecutive Grand Slam quarter-finals. But the elusive French Open title remains out of reach.
Sabalenka started strong in the final, quickly going 4-1 up in the first set. She looked in control but faltered under pressure. Gauff fought back, forcing Sabalenka into errors. The Belarusian’s frustration grew as the match slipped away.
After the match, she apologized to her team. “I played a terrible final,” she said, holding back tears. Despite the loss, her performance across all surfaces shows she remains a serious contender in women’s tennis.
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