Coco Gauff has become the first US woman to claim the French Open title since Serena Williams, ending a decade-long drought.
The American tennis sensation achieved a career-defining victory at Roland Garros on Saturday, capturing her maiden French Open title in a dramatic three-set battle showcasing her resilience and the unpredictable nature of clay court tennis in challenging conditions.
The second-seeded Gauff overcame world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-4 in a match that lasted two hours and 38 minutes. This victory marked the end of a ten-year American title drought at the tournament and established her as the youngest US winner since Serena Williams achieved the feat in 2002.
Mental Fortitude Triumphs Over Technical Perfection
The victory is a remarkable transformation for Gauff, who suffered a devastating 6-1, 6-3 defeat to Iga Swiatek in the 2022 final that lasted just 68 minutes. This time, her ability to weather the storm of 100 combined unforced errors and maintain composure under pressure proved decisive.
“I was going through a lot of things when I lost this final three years ago, so it means a lot to be back and here and to win,” Gauff said during the trophy presentation, her emotions evident as she reflected on her journey.
The American’s mental strength was particularly evident after losing a gruelling first set that featured five consecutive service breaks and extraordinary shot-making from both players despite the windy Parisian conditions.
Sabalenka’s Power Meets Its Match
Sabalenka dominated early proceedings with her characteristic aggressive baseline game. She raced to commanding positions in the opening set, breaking Gauff’s serve to love during a devastating nine-point run that seemed to signal another routine victory.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Gauff produced an inspired drop shot, followed by capitalising on a crucial Sabalenka double fault. A moment of controversy arose when Sabalenka allowed what appeared to be a long ball from Gauff to pass her, only to watch it land four inches inside the baseline – a mistake that visibly shook the world number one’s confidence.
The first set’s tie-break showcased both players at their spectacular best and chaotic worst, with Sabalenka ultimately prevailing through pure power hitting after Gauff had held two set points.
Second Set Surge Changes Everything
What followed was a complete reversal of fortunes. Gauff immediately broke Sabalenka’s serve to start the second set, and unlike the marathon opener, the American swept through the remaining games with ruthless efficiency, sealing the set with an emphatic overhead winner accompanied by a roar of relief that echoed around Court Philippe Chatrier.
The decisive third set became a test of nerve as much as skill. Gauff’s superior court coverage and defensive abilities began to frustrate Sabalenka, who was seen glaring at her coaching team during changeovers as her unforced error count mounted.
A critical double fault from Sabalenka handed Gauff three break points at 3-3, with Coco converting the first opportunity through another precise backhand winner – a shot that would prove crucial in her path to victory.
Emotional Aftermath Reveals Tournament’s Toll
Sabalenka’s post-match reaction provided insight into the mental demands of elite tennis, as she broke down while apologising for what she described as a “terrible final” despite her 70 unforced errors.
“This will hurt so much, especially after such a tough two weeks playing great tennis in terrible conditions,” the Belarusian said as she struggled to contain her emotions.
“Thank you, my team, for the support. I’m sorry for this terrible final. As always, I will come back stronger. Anyway, Coco, congrats. In these tough conditions, you were a better player than me. Well done on a great two weeks. Congrats on the second slam. You’re a fighter. Hard worker. Congrats you and your team.”
Expert Analysis Highlights Mental Game
Tennis legends provided contrasting perspectives on the match’s quality and significance. Former British number one Tim Henman noted Gauff’s psychological advantage: “Her mental resilience in tough conditions won the day, and you have to take into account Sabalenka, who was hitting the ball so aggressively, just kept fighting her off. The unforced error count just rose and rose, so she got frustrated, and it ended up costing her.”
Three-time French Open champion Mats Wilander defended the spectacle despite the error count: “It was a perfect final, and it’s such an inspiration to see two players who were clearly not playing at their best in those conditions. Sabalenka said it was a ‘terrible final’, but I don’t agree with that. I thought it was a brilliant final. It’s the intensity of the moment that was so brilliant.”
Wilander also offered tactical insight: “I thought she was trying to play perfect tennis, but she always is. I didn’t see that she had a certain tactic in the match. She was trying to play Sabalenka tennis, and it’s impossible to do that against Gauff. She moves too well, and she defends so well. Sabalenka was way too hard on herself. I thought she was past this attitude, but she clearly is not.”
Former world number one Lindsay Davenport noted concerning patterns in Sabalenka’s performance: “With Aryna, it was shades of a couple of years ago when she let her emotions get the better of her. I thought maybe she was passed all that, but it came out again and she couldn’t focus on the task in hand.”
Cultural Connection Fuels Victory
Gauff’s connection with the Parisian crowd proved instrumental, with the American expressing genuine surprise at the support she received throughout the tournament.
“The crowd really helped me today, you guys were cheering for me so hard. I don’t know what I do to deserve so much love from the French crowd, but I appreciate you guys,” she said.
In a moment that captured her generation’s cultural influences, Gauff quoted American rapper Tyler the Creator during her victory speech: “I didn’t think, honestly, that I could do it. But I’m actually going to quote Tyler the Creator right here. And he said, if I ever had a doubt…if I ever told you I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying. So I would like to leave that with you guys. I think I was lying to myself, and I definitely could do it. So, shout out to Tyler and shout out to you guys. Thank you, Paris.”
The victory establishes Gauff as the first top-two seeds to contest a Roland Garros final since Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova in 2013.
Post-Match Controversy
Meanwhile, at Aryna’s post-match press conference, she offered a self-critical assessment that inadvertently diminished her opponent’s achievement, suggesting the conditions rather than Gauff’s superior play determined the outcome.
“Conditions were terrible, and she simply was better in these conditions than me,” Sabalenka said.
“I think I was overemotional, and I didn’t really handle myself well. I think she won the match not because she played incredibly, just because I made all of those mistakes from, if you look from the outside, easy balls.”
The comments prompted a swift and pointed response from the newly crowned champion, who used her press conference to defend both her performance and her credentials as a legitimate title winner.
“I don’t agree with that. I’m sitting here,” Gauff said, her tone measured but firm. “No shade to Iga or anything, but last time I played her, I won in straight sets. Yeah, I don’t think that’s a fair thing to say, because anything can really happen.”
Fans have also responded to Aryna’s comment, with some saying she’s a sore loser. Others have said the point is that Gauff won. It’s a fact that Sabalenka may not want to embrace, but it happened.
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