PARIS — American Coco Gauff overcame windy conditions and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s emotional outbursts to capture her second Grand Slam title, winning Saturday’s French Open final 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4. The 21-year-old American overcame the same opponent who fell to her in the 2023 US Open final, cementing her status as tennis’s rising star.
The match marked the first time since 2013 that the tournament’s top two seeds met in the Roland-Garros final, echoing Serena Williams’ victory over Maria Sharapova a decade earlier. Before a packed Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd, Gauff delivered a performance that combined tactical brilliance with championship composure.
The Turning Point
After dropping a tight opening set in a tiebreak, Gauff transformed her approach. She neutralized Sabalenka’s power with deep, consistent groundstrokes and superior court coverage, dominating the second set 6-2. The American’s ability to absorb pace and redirect it with precision gradually wore down her aggressive opponent.
The decisive third set showcased championship tennis at its finest. Trailing early, Gauff produced the match’s signature moment in the third game—a spectacular point featuring a defensive lob followed by a crisp net finish after Sabalenka attempted a between-the-legs shot. This sequence shifted momentum permanently in Gauff’s favor.
Capitalizing on a crucial double fault, Gauff seized control and never relinquished it. Despite Sabalenka’s brief fightback, the American’s composure proved decisive. She broke serve once more and served out the victory with authority, falling to the clay in tears as a wide Sabalenka backhand sealed the 2-hour, 38-minute battle.
From Heartbreak to Triumph
The victory represents a remarkable transformation for Gauff, who left this same court devastated after losing her first Roland-Garros final three years ago. Saturday’s celebration, witnessed by filmmaker Spike Lee among others, marked her evolution from promising teenager to proven champion.
At 21, Gauff has now defeated the world’s best player twice in Grand Slam finals, demonstrating the mental fortitude that separates champions from contenders. Her ability to elevate her game when it matters most signals the arrival of a new force in women’s tennis.
Looking Forward
This triumph positions Gauff as the primary challenger to Sabalenka’s throne. With two major titles before her 22nd birthday, she’s established herself as American tennis’s new standard-bearer, evoking memories of the Williams sisters’ dominance while forging her own path.
Saturday’s final offered more than crowning a champion—it provided a preview of women’s tennis’s immediate future. As Gauff celebrated on the Parisian clay, one thing became clear: a new era has begun, and it belongs to her.
