Nationwide — In a thrilling display of resilience and grit, 21-year-old Coco Gauff captured her first French Open title on Saturday, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a dramatic Grand Slam final at Roland-Garros. Gauff, who already held one Grand Slam title, became the youngest American since Serena Williams in 2002 to win the prestigious event, according to WTA Tennis. After the match, an emotional Gauff said, “I didn’t think honestly that I could do it,” before quoting rapper Tyler the Creator, adding, “I must’ve been lying to myself, because I could do it.”
Despite losing the opening set in a tight tiebreak, Gauff battled through swirling winds and Sabalenka’s powerful baseline play to take control in the second and third sets. She broke Sabalenka four times in the final two sets and held her nerve to seal the win, collapsing to the court in disbelief. Her victory drew praise from across the globe, including a congratulatory message from former First Lady Michelle Obama on her Facebook page. “There’s a lot going on in our country right now,” Gauff said. “I hope I gave people something to feel good about today.”
Sabalenka, who was the favorite going into the final after defeating Gauff in Madrid last month, surged early with a 4-1 lead in the first set and appeared poised to dominate. But the Belarusian unraveled under pressure, committing a staggering 70 unforced errors—many of them in crucial moments. Gauff’s tactical use of drop shots and her ability to chase down difficult balls kept her in rallies and ultimately turned the tide of the match.
The final, the first Grand Slam title match between the top two players in the world since 2018, was as emotionally charged as it was physically demanding. Gauff displayed her trademark mental toughness, breaking Sabalenka twice in the second set and again at key moments in the decider. Even when Sabalenka leveled the third set at 3-3, Gauff immediately responded by breaking to love and holding serve in a tense eighth game.
When Sabalenka’s final backhand sailed wide, Gauff let out a joyful cry, embraced her opponent, and shared a high-five with film director Spike Lee from the stands. Speaking to TNT Sports, she said, “I don’t think either of us were playing great, but I knew it would be a fight in these conditions. I just tried to give myself the best chance on every point.”
A tearful Sabalenka later apologized to fans and her team, calling it “the worst final I ever played.” She acknowledged her struggles to stay composed in the wind, saying, “She didn’t win because she played unbelievable. I just made too many mistakes.” But for Gauff, this long-awaited French Open title fulfilled a childhood dream. “This is the one I really wanted,” she said. “If I went through my career and never won it, I would’ve regretted it. Now, I have no regrets.”
