Tears, Glory, & History: Coco Gauff wins first French Open title in climactic battle with Sabalenka — Watch the epic finish

Economic Times

5 hours ago

Coco Gauff has clinched the French Open 2025 title after fighting an intense battle against world no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Women's single.
Winner Coco Gauff of the U.S. kisses the trophy after the final match of the French Tennis Open against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Roland-Garros stadium in Paris, Saturday, June 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
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A Dramatic Rematch, a Poetic Win
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Second Set Surge Turns the Tide
Climactic Finish Ends with Gauff in Tears
Gauff and Sabalenka: Rivalry Renewed
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Did Coco Gauff win the 2025 French Open?
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Coco Gauff added another feather to her burgeoning career on Saturday, capturing her maiden French Open title after a hard-fought three-set victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the women's singles final at Roland-Garros. The 21-year-old American, currently ranked No. 2 in the world, rallied from a set down to prevail 6(5)-7(7), 6-2, 6-4, clinching her second Grand Slam crown and first on the Parisian clay.With this win, Gauff becomes the first American woman to lift the French Open trophy in a decade, following Serena Williams' triumph in 2015.This year's final offered a rematch steeped in history. Gauff had previously bested Sabalenka in the 2023 U.S. Open final, and on Saturday, she once again found a way past the power-hitting Belarusian. On a windy afternoon that saw occasional weather interruptions, Sabalenka began strongly, racing to a 4-1 lead in the opening set.Despite her early lead, Sabalenka, who was playing in her first French Open final, struggled with composure as Gauff mounted a spirited comeback, forcing a tiebreak. Though the world No. 1 eventually secured the opening set, Gauff's resolve only strengthened.Gauff's court craft and relentless retrieval ability took center stage in the second set. She dictated the rhythm, pushing Sabalenka into repeated errors. The American broke twice and comfortably closed out the set 6-2.Aryna Sabalenka's frustration began to show visibly as she amassed an uncharacteristically high number of unforced errors—70 by match end. Gauff, in contrast, maintained her composure, using her agility and court awareness to counter Sabalenka's raw power.The deciding set saw Gauff take an early break, but Sabalenka remained in contention, keeping the pressure on until the final game. At 5-4, Gauff served for the championship. Despite dropping a match point, she stayed locked in. When Sabalenka's final shot sailed just wide, Gauff collapsed to the red clay, tears flowing as the realization of her victory sank in.A video of the winning moment, now circulating widely online, shows Gauff overwhelmed by emotion, covering her face as applause filled Court Philippe-Chatrier. It was a moment of redemption three years in the making, after her loss to Iga Światek in the 2022 final.This victory not only cements Gauff's place in the top tier of women's tennis but also rekindles her rivalry with sabalenka. The two have now met in two Grand Slam finals, each providing a showcase of contrasting styles—Sabalenka's brute force versus Gauff's tactical finesse.While Sabalenka, 27, leaves Paris without the title, her run to the final—on a surface less suited to her power game—bodes well for the hard court season. The reigning U.S. Open champion will look to regroup ahead of the summer swing.Yes, Coco Gauff won her first French Open title on Saturday, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a dramatic three-set final.Gauff rallied from a set down to win 6(5)-7(7), 6-2, 6-4 in the women's singles final at Roland-Garros.