Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis player, drew on the memory of her previous defeat in the Roland-Garros final to fuel her motivation during this year’s competition, ultimately winning her first French Open title. Gauff triumphed over the world’s top player, Aryna Sabalenka, with a score of 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4, marking her second grand slam victory, following her win at the US Open two years prior.
Reflecting on her US Open win, Gauff noted that while it was more emotional, the French Open victory proved to be a tougher challenge. She attributed her success to better management of the match’s momentum and the unpredictable elements of clay-court play. “It was going to come down to willpower and mental strength,” Gauff stated.
This victory also allowed Gauff to overcome the haunting memories from her loss to Iga Swiatek in the 2022 final, where she felt overwhelmed and struggled with self-doubt. Gauff admitted that following that match, she questioned her ability to win major titles, recalling how nervous she was beforehand.
In contrast to her past experience, Gauff handled the pressure well in this match, committing fewer errors and maintaining her emotional composure against Sabalenka, who she had previously defeated in the 2023 US Open final. After securing the win, Gauff celebrated by lifting the trophy and expressing her gratitude to the supportive crowd, saying, “You guys were cheering for me so hard. I don’t know what I did to deserve so much love from the French crowd.”
Gauff’s victory is particularly significant as she becomes the first American woman to win at Roland-Garros since Serena Williams in 2015. This final was notable as well for being the first contest between the No. 1 and No. 2 seeded players in Paris since 2013.
The match itself was marred by windy conditions, leading to a series of unforced errors from both players. Sabalenka, despite winning the first set, expressed her frustration during the game, while Gauff maintained her focus throughout. The first set ended with Sabalenka clinching it in a tiebreaker, but Gauff’s resilience shone through in the following sets as she executed crucial points expertly.
After securing the win, Gauff was seen embracing Sabalenka at the net, indicating mutual respect between the two competitors. Gauff’s emotional release was palpable as she celebrated with her team, expressing a desire to learn French so she can address the crowd in their language in future victories.
Sabalenka, recognising Gauff’s perseverance, complimented her rival for being the stronger player on the day, despite the challenging conditions. The match exemplified Gauff’s growth as a player, transitioning from a nervous teenager to a two-time grand slam champion.