By: Kwame Bediako
Coco Gauff overcame Aryna Sabalenka in a hard-fought three-set match to secure her first-ever Roland Garros title, marking her second Grand Slam victory. The 21-year-old American displayed resilience and skill as she defeated Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 in a tense final. The win adds to Gauff’s growing legacy, following her maiden major singles title at the US Open in 2023.
Gauff’s triumph in Paris makes her the first American woman or man to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015. At just 21 years old, she is also the youngest American to win in Paris since Williams first claimed the title in 2002. Her victory marks a significant milestone for American tennis, illustrating her potential to dominate on clay and cement her status as a rising star in the sport.
This tournament marked Gauff’s second Grand Slam title, having previously defeated Sabalenka in the 2023 US Open final. Sabalenka, aged 27 and from Belarus, has already won three major titles, two Australian Open crowns and a US Open, yet this was her first appearance in the French Open final. The final was notable as the first No. 1 versus No. 2 showdown at Roland Garros since 2013 when Serena Williams beat Maria Sharapova and only the second in the past three decades.
Sabalenka and Gauff have faced each other ten times before, with their head-to-head evenly split. Sabalenka had won their most recent encounter at the Madrid Open on clay just a month prior. Despite the recent loss, Gauff’s victory in Paris demonstrates her ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stage, further elevating her profile in the tennis world.
