Coco Gauff wins French Open Glory with thrilling comeback against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in women’s final
The 21-year-old American rallies from a set down to capture her second Grand Slam title and make history on the clay of Roland Garros.
PARIS — On a blustery afternoon at Roland Garros, Coco Gauff cemented her rising legend with a dramatic, come-from-behind victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win the 2025 French Open. The 21-year-old American outlasted Sabalenka 6–7 (5), 6–2, 6–4, securing her second Grand Slam title and her first on the Paris clay.
Gauff’s win not only marked a personal milestone—returning to the court where she suffered a crushing defeat in the 2022 final—but also positioned her in the elite lineage of American tennis. She becomes the first American woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to win at Roland Garros and the youngest to do so since Serena in 2002.
“This means the world,” Gauff said through tears after the match. “I was going through a lot when I lost this final three years ago. To be here now, winning it... it's just unbelievable.”
A Match of Grit, Guts, and Momentum Shifts
For much of the first set, it appeared Sabalenka, who was chasing her second major title, had the upper hand. Dominating early with her signature power game and clever drop shots, the Belarusian stormed to a 4–1 lead and was on the verge of closing out the set with a commanding 40–0 advantage.
However, tennis matches at this level rarely follow a script.
Sabalenka's serve faltered in the swirling winds of Court Philippe-Chatrier, and Gauff pounced—reeling off five straight points to break back and swing the momentum. What followed was a chaotic stretch of five consecutive breaks of serve, culminating in a 12-minute 10th game that saw Gauff survive two set points before eventually succumbing in a tiebreak that both players deserved to win.
Sabalenka took the first set 7–6 (5), but her 32 unforced errors hinted at vulnerabilities.
The second set belonged firmly to Gauff. With a more controlled game plan and unshakable poise, she broke Sabalenka twice and capitalized on her opponent’s mounting mistakes—including a 50th unforced error that handed Gauff a commanding 5–2 lead. She closed out the set with the efficiency of a seasoned champion, needing just over 30 minutes to even the match.
The Heart of a Champion
The third set opened with Sabalenka holding serve and roaring in defiance. But Gauff, now fully locked in, broke at 1–1 and never truly relinquished control. Though Sabalenka managed to claw back to level the set at 3–3, Gauff immediately broke again and held her nerve through a tense final game.
On match point, Sabalenka’s backhand drifted wide. Gauff dropped to the clay in disbelief, the iconic red dust clinging to her forehead as she pressed it to the court. Moments later, she was in the arms of her mother, overcome with emotion and pride.
“I want to thank my team,” she said, addressing the crowd. “I know I’m not always easy to deal with, but you guys keep me grounded. To my parents—thank you for believing in me when I didn’t. And to my brothers back home—you’re my inspiration.”
Gauff also gave a nod to rapper Tyler, The Creator, paraphrasing him to capture the self-belief that carried her through the toughest moments: “If I ever told you I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying.”
A Gutting Loss for Sabalenka
For Sabalenka, the loss was a bitter pill. It marked her third straight appearance in a Grand Slam final—an extraordinary feat—but also her second consecutive defeat to an American opponent, after falling to Madison Keys at the Australian Open earlier this year.
“Obviously, this one hurts,” Sabalenka admitted, visibly shaken. “I played so well these two weeks, and to come out and show such poor tennis in the final... it’s painful.”
Still, she found the grace to congratulate her opponent.
“Coco, congrats,” she said, pausing to collect herself. “You were the better player in these conditions. You earned this.”
A Changing of the Guard?
While Sabalenka remains the top-ranked player in the world, Gauff’s continued rise signals a shifting landscape in women’s tennis. At just 21, she’s no longer the teenage prodigy—we are now witnessing the emergence of a composed, clutch, and charismatic champion.
Her ability to regroup after a marathon first set, capitalize on her opponent’s mistakes, and maintain her edge under pressure speaks volumes. Gauff is not just a future face of the sport—she is its present.
With two Grand Slams under her belt and a growing legion of fans inspired by her grace, grit, and grounding, Coco Gauff has already become a symbol of what’s next in American tennis. And at Roland Garros, on the court where she once wept in defeat, she now reigns as queen of the clay.
Congratulations!