Coco Gauff made headlines with a thrilling comeback victory to claim her first French Open title, besting top seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-7(5-7), 6-2, 6-4 in an electrifying final on Saturday. This victory at Roland Garros marks a significant milestone as Gauff becomes the first American woman to secure the singles title since 2015, following in the footsteps of Serena Williams. At just 21 years of age, she is also the youngest American to achieve this since Williams herself in 2002.
The high-stakes match saw the world’s top two players push each other to their limits across three epic sets. The encounter, characterized by remarkable shot-making and intense power hitting, culminated in a hard-fought victory for the second seed.
The breezy conditions in Paris contributed to a staggering total of 100 unforced errors and 15 breaks of serve throughout the match. However, this did not overshadow the dazzling displays of athleticism and drama that unfolded on court.
This final was particularly notable as it marked the first encounter between the top two seeds in a women’s singles final at Roland Garros since Serena Williams faced Maria Sharapova in 2013. Following her victory, Gauff expressed heartfelt appreciation for the support of the crowd: “I was dealing with many things when I lost this final three years ago, so coming back and winning means so much. Thank you to the French crowd for their incredible support. I didn’t think I could do it, but I want to leave you with this: if I ever said I had doubts, I must have been lying.”
Gauff’s Path to the Title…
In the early stages, Sabalenka appeared dominant, delivering a ruthless performance with an early break of serve. Gauff seemed rattled, but a moment of brilliance—a drop shot and a crucial break point—turned the tide. The American leveled the set at 4-4, capitalizing on Sabalenka’s errors.
The ensuing tie-break was fiercely contested, with Gauff initially leading before Sabalenka retaliated with powerful winners. In a match that lasted much longer than Gauff’s previous final appearance, she found her rhythm and levelled the match with a commanding second set.
As the final set unfolded, Gauff maintained her composure, breaking Sabalenka’s serve and establishing a crucial lead. Despite a valiant effort from the Belarusian, including a brief comeback to level at 3-3, Gauff ultimately sealed her victory after a tense battle that lasted 2 hours and 38 minutes.
Emotion in Defeat: Sabalenka’s Reflection
In a poignant moment, Sabalenka shed tears while reflecting on her performance, describing the match as “terrible” and acknowledging her uncharacteristically high number of unforced errors. “This will hurt so much, especially after playing great tennis in challenging conditions,” she said. “Coco, you were undoubtedly the better player today. Your hard work has paid off, and I applaud you.”
Reactions from the Tennis Community
Former British No. 1 Tim Henman highlighted Gauff’s mental toughness, pointing out Sabalenka’s struggle with errors under pressure. Three-time French Open champion Mats Wilander praised the final’s intensity, countering Sabalenka’s claim of a “terrible final.” He noted that both players exhibited resilience despite not being at their very best.
Lindsay Davenport echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Sabalenka’s emotional struggles resurfaced, affecting her performance. As tennis enthusiasts eagerly await the upcoming matches, viewers can stay tuned to the action on Sky Sports throughout 2025, featuring the ATP and WTA Tours, including the US Open in New York.