Coco Gauff beats Aryna Sabalenka to win French Open final in Paris
French Open champion Coco Gauff says her victory in Paris was for people back in the United States who "look like me" and those who struggle amid ongoing political turmoil.
Gauff battled from a set down to beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-4 in the final and lift her first French Open crown and second major title.
She is the first American to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015 and the youngest American to achieve the feat since Williams in 2002.
"[The title] means a lot, and obviously there's a lot going on in our country right now with things, like everything … I'm sure you guys know," Gauff told reporters without elaborating further.
"But just to be able to be a representation of that and a representation of, I guess, people that look like me in America who maybe don't feel as supported during this time period, and so just being that reflection of hope and light for those people."
There has been significant political upheaval in the US following the election of President Donald Trump last year.
Gauff was contesting the WTA Finals in Riyadh when the US election was held in November, a tournament she won.
"I remember after the election and everything, it kind of felt a down period a little bit and my mum told me during Riyadh, 'Just try to win the tournament, just to give something for people to smile for'," Gauff said.
"So that's what I was thinking about today when holding that [trophy].
"Then seeing the flags in the crowd means a lot. Some people may feel some type of way about being patriotic and things like that, but I'm definitely patriotic and proud to be American.
"I'm proud to represent the Americans that look like me and people who kind of support the things that I support."
Paris was guaranteed a new champion but the first clash between the top two women in the world rankings in a major final since the 2018 Australian Open failed to live up to its billing on Court Philippe-Chatrier, with 100 unforced errors in total.
Competing in her third straight major final but first at Roland-Garros, Sabalenka broke to love in the third game with smart play at the net and mixed delicate drop shots and raw power to lead 4-1 in the first set.
Gauff was undeterred and broke back from 40-0 down after a shaky service game by Sabalenka and hung on to draw level after eight games as the vocal centre court crowd spurred her on to prolong the contest.
What followed was a festival of mistakes from both players in blustery conditions, before Gauff forced a tie-break with a neat backhand winner, only to squander a 4-1 advantage as Sabalenka roared back to take the opening set.
Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion, barely flinched and she dialled up the intensity in the second set by claiming four of the opening five games and levelled the contest after her rival's unforced error count climbed to 51.
The 2022 French Open runner-up, Gauff stepped up another level in the deciding set to build a 3-1 lead before Sabalenka clawed her way back.
But Gauff composed herself just in time and wrapped up the win to spark wild celebrations among her fans.
Gauff dropped to the ground in disbelief before shedding tears of joy and racing up the stands to meet her team.
Sabalenka was left to digest another major final defeat after losing the Australian Open decider to Madison Keys in January.
The result denied the 27-year-old the chance to become the only active woman on tour to lift singles titles at three of the four majors after her success at the Australian Open in 2023-24 and the US Open last year.
"Honestly this will hurt so much especially after such a tough two weeks. To show such terrible tennis in the final, it really hurts," a tearful Sabalenka said at the on-court presentation.
"You're [Gauff] a fighter, a hard worker, so congratulations to you and your team … thank you to my team for the support. I'm sorry for this terrible final, but I'll come back stronger."
Reuters
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