Latest news with #CocoGauff
LeMonde
32 minutes ago
- Sport
- LeMonde
Coco Gauff, the queen of composure, claims French Open title
Coco Gauff started the 2025 French Open laughing, realizing she had walked onto the court for her first-round match without her rackets. Two weeks later, she's still smiling. But this time, the American left Roland Garros with more than just her sense of humor. On Saturday, June 7, she walked off the Philippe-Chatrier court with the imposing Suzanne Lenglen trophy, after her victory over Belarus's Aryna Sabalenka in the final (6-7, 6-2, 6-4). By defeating the world number one, Gauff added a second Grand Slam trophy to her collection, which already included the 2023 US Open. Above all, she continued her trajectory at the same place where she had experienced a painful coming-of-age in 2022, swept aside in the final by Poland's Iga Swiatek (1-6, 3-6). "I was super nervous. I kinda wrote myself off before the match even happened," she admitted. Three years later, she's no longer quite the same player who walked onto the center court. At 21, Gauff is now a major player on the circuit, the world number two capable of racking up wins and titles on all surfaces. The American has learned to handle pressure – something she has faced ever since she was a teenager, when she was hailed in the United States as the heir to Serena Williams.
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Coco Gauff stunned by her own achievement after French Open win
Coco Gauff was dumbstruck after beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open final on Saturday, admitting she did not think she had what it takes to stop the Belarusian heavy hitter on Court Philippe Chatrier. The American 21-year-old battled from a set down to beat the top seed 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4 in just over two and half hours and lift her first French Open crown and her second Grand Slam title after the 2023 US Open. "I didn't think honestly I could do it," the American world number two, who claimed her second Grand Slam title, said between tears. "Three finals... I guess I got the most important win - that's all that matters." She had lost the clay court finals in Madrid and Rome before her win in Paris. "I was going through a lot of things when I lost here three years ago," Gauff, who was runner-up to Iga Swiatek in 2022, said. "I'm just glad to be back here. The 21-year-old Gauff, who benefited from her opponent's 70 unforced errors, including six double faults, paid tribute to Sabalenka before posing for pictures with the ball kids. "I would like to thank my parents. You guys have done a lot for me, from washing my clothes to keeping me grounded and giving me the belief that I can do it," she said. "You guys probably believe in me more than I do myself. I really appreciate and love you guys." Taking inspiration from American musician Tyler, the Creator, she said: "If I ever told you I have doubt inside me, I would be lying." She has won both her majors after coming from a set down after her comeback win against Sabalenka at the US Open two years ago. Gauff is also the first American player to lift the trophy since Serena Williams in 2015. "I would like to thank you guys, the crowd helped me today," she told the 15,000 crowd who supported her throughout. "You guys were cheering for me so hard and I don't know what I did to deserve such support from the French crowd," Gauff added, before dropping the lid of the Suzanne Lenglen Cup. Gauff continued a spectacular season for American women at the Grand Slams by winning the French Open. She is the winner in Paris from the United States since her decorated compatriot Serena in 2002. Victory, which follows colleague Madison Keys' Australian Open triumph, helped the erase memories of Gauff's crushing loss to Iga Swiatek in 2022 and confirmed her pedigree on the biggest stage after a breakthrough triumph at the 2023 US Open.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
I'm proud to represent the Americans that look like me
Coco Gauff wants her French Open victory to give hope to 'Americans that look like me'. Gauff beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final to secure her maiden Roland Garros title. Advertisement The 21-year-old, now a two-time grand slam champion, says she wants to bring 'hope and light' to black Americans who feel under-represented. 'It means a lot and obviously there's a lot going on in our country right now,' she said. '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.' Gauff won the WTA Finals in Riyadh in November, days after the re-election of US President Donald Trump. Advertisement 'I remember after the election and everything, it kind of felt (a) down period a little bit,' she added. 'My mum told me during Riyadh, 'Just try to win the tournament just to give something for people to smile for'. 'So that's what I was thinking about today when holding that (trophy). 'And then seeing the flags in the crowd means a lot. You know, 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 and I'm proud to represent the Americans that look like me and people who kind of support the things that I support.' Advertisement Gauff is scheduled to play at the Berlin Open, beginning a week on Monday, to kick off her preparations for Wimbledon. But she said: 'I haven't thought that far ahead. Obviously I'm going to take some days off, for sure. 'I'm signed up for Berlin right now. We'll see if I play or not. This part of the season is new just because of the fact that it's so short and I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but I'll have that conversation with my team and take their opinions and see what they think is best. 'For sure I'm going to rest and enjoy it and not go into training too quickly just because I feel like this stuff doesn't happen too often, so you've just got to enjoy it.'
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Gauff: I'm proud to represent the Americans that look like me
Coco Gauff wants her French Open victory to give hope to "Americans that look like me". Gauff beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final to secure her maiden Roland Garros title. The 21-year-old, now a two-time grand slam champion, says she wants to bring "hope and light" to black Americans who feel under-represented. "It means a lot and obviously there's a lot going on in our country right now," she said. "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." Gauff won the WTA Finals in Riyadh in November, days after the re-election of US President Donald Trump. "I remember after the election and everything, it kind of felt (a) down period a little bit," she added. "My mum told me during Riyadh, 'Just try to win the tournament just to give something for people to smile for'. "So that's what I was thinking about today when holding that (trophy). "And then seeing the flags in the crowd means a lot. You know, 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 and I'm proud to represent the Americans that look like me and people who kind of support the things that I support." Gauff is scheduled to play at the Berlin Open, beginning a week on Monday, to kick off her preparations for Wimbledon. But she said: "I haven't thought that far ahead. Obviously I'm going to take some days off. "I'm signed up for Berlin right now. We'll see if I play or not. This part of the season is new just because of the fact that it's so short and I don't know what I'm going to do yet, but I'll have that conversation with my team and take their opinions and see what they think is best. "For sure I'm going to rest and enjoy it and not go into training too quickly just because I feel like this stuff doesn't happen too often, so you've just got to enjoy it."
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
This win is for Americans who look like me, says French Open champion Gauff
Newly-crowned French Open champion Coco Gauff, the first Black American to win the title in a decade, said on Saturday her victory in Paris was for people back home who looked like her and struggled amid ongoing political turmoil. Gauff battled from a set down to beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4 and lift her first French Open crown and her second Grand Slam title after the 2023 US Open. She is the first Black American to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015. 'It means a lot [to win the title], and obviously there's a lot going on in our country right now with things — like, everything, yeah. I'm sure you guys know,' she said, smiling but without elaborating further. The champ's words 🎤 Coco Gauff's on-court interview following her win over Aryna Sabalenka. #RolandGarros — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 7, 2025 '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 ongoing political turmoil in the US after the election of President Donald Trump last year. Trump's first few months in office have featured an unapologetic assault on diversity and inclusion efforts, unravelling decades-old policies to remedy historical injustices for marginalised groups in a matter of weeks. In his second term, Trump revoked a landmark 1965 executive order mandating equal employment opportunities for all, slashed environmental actions to protect communities of colour and ordered the gutting of an agency that helped fund minority and women-owned businesses. Coco's way ✨ #RolandGarros — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 7, 2025 The actions have alarmed advocates, who say they effectively erase decades of hard-fought progress on levelling the playing field for marginalised communities. 'I remember after the election and it kind of felt a down period a bit and my mom told me during Riyadh [in November 2024] 'just try to win the tournament, just to give something for people to smile for'. 'So that's what I was thinking about today when holding that [trophy]. 'Then seeing the flags in the crowd means a lot. You know, 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, and I'm proud to represent the Americans who look like me and people who support the things I support.' Trump has previously denied claims he has employed racist attacks and an agenda throughout his political career.
