
The turn of the runner-up
Follow reaction to Coco Gauff's French Open victory after the 21-year-old American's thrilling three-set battle with the World No. 1 Getty Images The Athletic
Coco Gauff fought back from a set down to beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 in a rollercoaster French Open final.
It is the second Grand Slam singles triumph of Gauff's career and her maiden Roland Garros title, adding to the US Open title she won in 2023, also by beating Sabalenka.
'I was going through a lot of things when I lost here three years ago,' Gauff said after her victory, referencing her straight sets defeat to Iga Swiatek in the 2022 final.
'I'm just glad to be back here. I was going through a lot of dark thoughts. Three finals ... I guess I got the most important win. That's all that matters.'
Sabalenka recovered from a 4-1 deficit in an exciting first set tiebreak only to make a huge number of mistakes in the second and third as Gauff seized control.
'This hurts so much,' the World No. 1 said afterwards. 'Congratulations to Coco, she was a better player than me.' Get involved: live@theathletic.com
GO FURTHER
French Open final: Coco Gauff beats Aryna Sabalenka to win second Grand Slam title Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Getty Images
Aryna Sabalenka, heartbroken, embraces Henin.
She holds her silver plate and poses, or rather just stands.
Her turn to speak. She can't initially, throwing her head back and blinking away tears, shaking her head.
Sabalenka's emotions taking over.
...is Belgian Justine Henin.
The 43-year-old won seven majors, including four here at Roland Garros, plus an Olympic gold medal.
She hands the umpire Mariiana Veljović a silver tray for officiating the final. She did a great job, too. Getty Images
Drained. Nothing more to give. But victorious. Getty Images
Relief and disbelief in equal measure from Coco Gauff, who was seemingly struggling to come to terms with her triumph.
The ballboys and ballgirls file out onto court.
Decent summer job, that. Getty Images
Not sure this what either player wants. Gauff watches it quietly.
Aryna Sabalenka, understandably, looks like she'd rather be anywhere but there, putting her towel over her head.
The No.2 seed prevailed over the No. 1 seed in a chaotic, tense and enthralling match, ultimately decided by Sabalenka's first-strike tennis, Gauff's adaptability to the conditions and the most unsatisfying statistic in tennis.
It is Gauff's first French Open title and her second Grand Slam singles title.
It brings her closer to Sabalenka, the runaway world No. 1 in the rankings, and gives Gauff her first major title away from the hard courts of her home major at the U.S. Open.
Below, The Athletic 's writers, Charlie Eccleshare and Matt Futterman, analyze the final and what it means for tennis.
GO FURTHER
French Open final: Coco Gauff beats Aryna Sabalenka to win second Grand Slam title Getty Images
FINAL: Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 Sabalenka
A high five from Spike Lee, Coco Gauff climbs into her box and hugs her parents, then her coaches.
A beaming smile on her face.
The American is victorious! Getty Images
She's done it! Coco Gauff collapses onto the clay!
'Oh my God,' she says. 'Oh my God'.
On her knees, clay staining her forehand, she signs a love heart to her mum, who is jumping up and down for joy. Getty Images
Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, 5-4* Sabalenka
An OK serve from Gauff, catches Sabalenka off guard, net. Super from Sabalenka, though, rushing the net daringly and volleying away adeptly and adroitly at the net.
A booming return, Sabalenka going for her shots, 15-30. Coco's mum Candi clapping her daughter on. Big serve, 30-all. Two more points...
One more now! Gauff mishits a forehand, a little lucky, draws Sabalenka into the net and Gauff slams it away for a winner!
Championship point... saved! Incredible bravery from Sabalenka, who thrashes desperately and her return hits the baseline! Deuce, then Sabalenka advantage as more merciless hitting slides beyond Gauff's grasp.
Advantage Aryna. She goes all-in, and it's wide. Deuce. Candi Gauff with eyes closed, muttering a little prayer heavenward.
Those prayers answered? Sabalenka slings it wearily into the net. A second championship point...
Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, *5-4 Sabalenka
This is, obviously, a must-hold for top seed Aryna Sabalenka. Backhand volley at the net for 15-0. Sabalenka, sweat beading her hands, drops her racket after missing a first serve and wipes it dry.
Pinned back deep, Sabalenka with a horribly miscued backhand, miles wide. 66 unforced errors in this match, more than double Gauff's (30). 15-all.
Whoosh, a forehand with the force of a thousand suns, 30-15. Grip it and rip it, Gauff wide, 40-15. Gauff purses her lips ever so slightly. Brilliant return from Gauff, Sabalenka long, 40-30 and a slim chink of light for Gauff in this game.
Sabalenka unhappy with the bounce as Gauff's ball kicks up on her, and she pulls it wide. Big serve, then big smash, Gauff wide, advantage.
Wonderful point, hitting the corners with aplomb. Has Sabalenka found her hitting range in the nick of time? Getty Images
Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, 5-3* Sabalenka
Double fault, gasps from the near-15,000-strong crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier, then an ace. How's that for contrasts?
15-all, Sabalenka into the net, brilliant retrieval low to her right, Gauff smacks it cross-court and Sabalenka gets a racket on it but the ball skids downwards and into the net! The power did for her there.
A wonderful arcing forehand into the corner, unplayable, winner. 40-15. Sabalenka long. Gauff edging closer. Getty Images
Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, *4-3 Sabalenka
Sabalenka narrowly out, point replayed, but Sabalenka with not one but two really poor backhands into the net.
Nowhere near going over, either. 0-30 down and more complaints to her box. A double fault, 0-40 down, three break points to Coco Gauff.
Sabalenka yelling in disbelief at her box. The difference between her floor and ceiling is stark.
Fine shot from Gauff, the first point she's really won rather than Sabalenka losing it in this game, and it's a break to love. Gauff is two games from the championship. Getty Images
Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, 3-3* Sabalenka
Nicely done. Under the floodlights in the dying natural light of this summer's day in Paris, Sabalenka plays an excellent point, forcing Gauff into the corner and putting the backhand volley away.
Double fault, 0-30, but Sabalenka, off-balance, makes two mistakes. I think she's struggling with her movement due to fatigue, not getting her feet into the right position to strike as powerfully as she is able.
Wow! Really unlucky net cord for Gauff, who shovels it wide. On such moments of fortune can matches, and finals, turn.
Gauff errs again and that's a break. How Coco will rue that intervention on the net. Getty Images
Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, *3-2 Sabalenka
Advantage after a big serve. Sabalenka pauses with a scowl after a ballboy scrambles to retrieve a loose ball.
Gauff's return is long and that is vital for the world No. 1. Getty Images
The combination of what's at stake and the tour's best defender have been a lethal one-two punch to the Sabalenka jaw today.
All these errors do not happen in isolation.
Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, *3-1 Sabalenka
Gauff goes 0-15 up, world-class returning, but Sabalenka does what so few players can and overwhelms her with pace. Stand and deliver, she tries to put her whole body into a backhand but can't get it over the net.
15-30. This game cannot slip through her fingers if she wants to lift the trophy. Gauff returns long, 30-all, fascinatingly poised.
Sabalenka gets away with a couple of shots in the rally, hitting the baseline twice, comes to the net but can only volley it back awkwardly and Gauff hits it clean as a whistle down the line for a fine winner.
30-40. Break point. A few deep breaths from the top seed. And a gargantuan serve saves the break point! Just kissed the line on the way through. Deuce.
Uh oh. Sabalenka with poor shot selection, tries a drop shot, wrong execution too, Gauff latches onto it and elicits the error. Another break point, another saved with a scorching winner down the line. Deuce again.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Mancheter City's James McAtee could make Lyon move
In a deal worth over €40m, Rayan Cherki (21) is set to join Manchester City. However, another player is expected to move in the opposite direction and join Olympique Lyonnais on loan, as per L'Équipe. Lyon will hope to acquire one of Manchester City's attacking players on a season-long loan. Whilst it looks difficult to secure Oscar Bobb (21), L'Équipe understands that James McAtee (22) and Claudio Echeverri (19) are realistic candidates to make the move to the Groupama Stadium. Advertisement Last season, McAtee, an England youth international, made 27 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals. He played 15 games in the Premier League, albeit only three as a starter, scoring three goals. Echeverri, following the return of his loan spell at River Plate in December, featured even more sparingly for Pep Guardiola's side. He made just two appearances in all competitions, accumulating just 19 minutes of game time in the process. GFFN | Luke Entwistle


New York Times
34 minutes ago
- New York Times
Lyon agree deal to sign USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner from Nottingham Forest
Lyon have agreed a deal to sign USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner from Nottingham Forest. The two clubs have agreed a fee of €8million (£6.74m) for the 30-year-old, who spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Crystal Palace and was part of the squad that lifted the FA Cup in May, the first major trophy in the club's history. Advertisement Turner made his professional debut in 2017 for the United Soccer League's (USL) Richmond Kickers while on loan from the New England Revolution. He became New England's first-choice goalkeeper in 2018 and made his Major League Soccer (MLS) debut that season. He made 111 appearances for the club in total, keeping 24 clean sheets. In June 2022, Turner signed for Arsenal and spent the 2022-23 campaign as the back-up goalkeeper behind Aaron Ramsdale, featuring in seven games. Upon the arrival of David Raya at the club in the summer of 2023, Turner moved to Nottingham Forest, signing a four year deal. He went on to make 21 appearances for Forest as the side finished 17th in the table, escaping relegation to the Championship. Turner made four appearances last season serving as second-choice behind Dean Henderson. He has been capped 51 times by the U.S. and started all four of the team's games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Brazilian Lucas Perri was Lyon's No. 1 goalkeeper last season, starting all but one of the club's Ligue 1 games as the side finished sixth. In November, Lyon were provisionally relegated from Ligue 1 and handed a transfer ban after a French audit demanded that they improve their financial situation. Club president John Textor pushed back strongly at the time against any suggestion that Lyon could be banned from Europe and is confident the club's finances are in order. Additional reporting: Paul Tenorio, Paul Taylor ()
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Stephen Curry, Caleb McLaughlin, Gabrielle Union, & Nick Kroll Set For Voice Cast Of Sony Pictures Animation's Sports-Themed Movie ‘Goat'– Annecy
Updated with further casting details at 10.24 am PT Sony Pictures Animation's sports-themed animated feature Goat has unveiled a starry voice cast, featuring NBA champion Stephen Curry and Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin, during a preview event at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Curry and McLaughlin will be joined in the cast by Gabrielle Union (Bad Boys II, The Perfect Find), Nick Kroll (Big Mouth), Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton), David Harbour (Thunderbolts), Jenifer Lewis (I Love That for You) and Patton Oswalt (We All Scream). More from Deadline Chinese AI Video Generator Vidu Strikes IP Deal For Animated Series 'Journey To The West: Legends Of The Monkey King' Tom Clancy's 'Splinter Cell: Deathwatch': Fans Go Wild For Clips Of Netflix Animated Series At Annecy As Creative Team Detail Inspirations Ranging From Michael Mann To Satoshi Kon To Tom Cruise Marvel Animation Unveils First Episode Of 'Eyes Of Wakanda' Opening In Ancient Crete & Setting Up 3,000-Year Search For Stolen Vibranium Artefacts Tyree Dillihay and producer Michelle Raimo Kouyate were in Annecy for the presentation which screened exclusive footage to an appreciative animation crowd, who packed out the Grande Salle of Annecy's main Bonlieu Theater venue. The original action-comedy set in an all-animal world, follows Will (voiced by McLaughlin), a small goat living a downbeat life in an urbanized jungle community called Vineland, who is obsessed with roarball, spending every spare minute at the public court practicing moves and shooting hoops. A high-intensity, co-ed, full-contact sport dominated by the fastest, fiercest animals in the world, roarball takes its cue basketball but with modifications to fit the animal kingdom such as a special perforated hardball, suited to paws and claws, as well as regulations allowing two and four-legged movements. Will's big dreams become reality when he gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to join the pros and play for his local team, the Thorns. His new teammates aren't thrilled about having a little goat on their roster, but Will is determined to revolutionize the sport and prove once and for all that 'smalls can ball!' Union voices Jett Fillmore, a black jaguar and the star player of Will's new team who is none too happy about his signing. Further teammates include rhinoceros Archie Everhardt (Harbour), komodo dragon Modo Olachenko (Kroll),ostrich Olivia Burke (Coughan) and giraffe Lenny Williamson (Curry). Lewis voices the Thorns' tough-talking porcine Thorns owner Florence Everson. Other characters include Mane Attraction, a powerful stallion and rival player, with an impressive shock of hair, who plays for the Magma team in the Inferno Lava Coast region. Goat is produced by Curry and Erick Peyton of Unanimous Media, Raimo Kouyate, Adam Rosenberg, and Rodney Rothman of Modern Magic. David Schulenburg co-produced, with Rick Mischel and Fonda Snyder as executive producers. Sony Pictures Animation will released the movie theatrically In collaboration with the NBA on February 13, 2026, to tie in with NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles running from February 13 to 15) 'We're excited to bring together an all-star cast to voice the incredible characters in Goat,' said Peyton and Curry. 'Goat is the kind of story we love to tell at Unanimous— full of heart, humor, and high-octane action that we hope audiences of all ages will cheer for.' Four-time NBA Champion, two-time MVP, and 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist Curry and Peyton launched production company Unanimous Media in 2018 to create content focused on family, faith, and sports. Best of Deadline Sean 'Diddy' Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial Updates: Cassie Ventura's Testimony, $10M Hotel Settlement, Drugs, Violence, & The Feds A Full Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's 'It Ends With Us' Feud In Court, Online & In The Media Where To Watch All The 'John Wick' Movies: Streamers That Have All Four Films