PARIS (AP) — Coco Gauff etched her name into tennis history by winning the French Open for the first time. She achieved this remarkable victory on June 7, 2025, by defeating the world's top-ranked player, Aryna Sabalenka, with a final score of 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 in a match at the iconic Roland-Garros stadium.
The match was a thrilling contest characterized by dramatic swings in momentum and high tension. Gauff, currently the second-ranked player, prevailed in what was her second major final against Sabalenka, having previously claimed the 2023 U.S. Open title under similar circumstances, where she also came from a set down to secure the win.
As the match concluded, Gauff raised the winner's trophy high above her head and kissed it multiple times. The emotional moment was underscored by her placing her hand over her heart during the playing of the U.S. national anthem, honoring her home country.
This thrilling final marked the first encounter between the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in Paris since 2013 when Serena Williams triumphed over Maria Sharapova, making it only the second such final in the last three decades. The match lasted an intense 2 hours and 38 minutes.
When Sabalenka sent a backhand wide on Gauff's second match point, the 21-year-old American collapsed onto her back, covering her face with her hands as tears of joy streamed down. After regaining her composure, she got to her feet, holding her hand over her mouth in disbelief and continuing to cry as she paid homage to the clay court beneath her.
After exchanging warm hugs with Sabalenka at the net and thanking the umpire, Gauff shouted with joy and relief. She then got on her knees, allowing herself to savor the triumph as tears continued to flow. Her celebrations were shared with her entourage and filmmaker Spike Lee, marking a significant turn from her previous appearance at Roland-Garros in 2022, where she lost in her first Grand Slam final.
In her on-court speech following the victory, Gauff reflected on the impact of her defeat in 2022, describing how it placed her in a “dark place.” She expressed gratitude to the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier, who overwhelmingly supported her during the match. “The crowd really helped me today; you guys were cheering for me so hard and I don’t know what I did to deserve so much love from the French crowd,” she stated, filled with appreciation for the support she received.
Sabalenka, visibly emotional during her speech, acknowledged Gauff's fight and skill, stating she deserved the win. She also commented on the challenging conditions of the match, which were marked by wind that contributed to errors from both players. “This will hurt so much. Coco, congrats, in the tough conditions you were a better player than me,” Sabalenka said, before congratulating Gauff on her second Grand Slam title, which she deemed well-deserved.
The match itself showcased remarkable skill and strategy. After Sabalenka started the final set strong, Gauff elevated her game in response, executing an impressive rally that elicited cheers from the crowd. Gauff's baseline consistency was evident as she broke Sabalenka's serve and maintained the lead in a highly competitive final set.
With this victory, Gauff not only claimed the singles title but also solidified her place in tennis history, as she now boasts two French Open trophies, having previously won the women’s doubles title in the previous year. Her journey in the sport continues to inspire young athletes around the world.
