In an unforgettable final at Roland Garros, Coco Gauff showcased immense determination and composure to clinch her second Grand Slam title at the French Open 2025. The 21-year-old American overcame a slow start and battled windy conditions to defeat world number one Aryna Sabalenka in three grueling sets—6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4.
The match began with Sabalenka dominating early, taking a 4-1 lead within the first 20 minutes. Her explosive groundstrokes kept Gauff on the defensive, and the opening set seemed to be heading towards a one-sided affair. However, Gauff turned the tide with her resilience, managing to bring the set back to 4-4 before narrowly losing the tiebreak 7-5.
Despite the setback, Gauff adapted brilliantly to the gusty conditions. She slowed down the pace, used deep returns, and strategically extended rallies—forcing Sabalenka into errors. The Belarusian star, known for her power play, struggled to maintain rhythm in the wind and became increasingly inconsistent. Gauff capitalized on this shift, breezing through the second set in just 34 minutes.
In the final set, it was Gauff’s discipline and maturity that outlasted Sabalenka’s power. With a balanced tally of 30 winners and 30 unforced errors, she kept the pressure on as Sabalenka faltered with 70 unforced errors. Gauff’s serve remained steady, and she earned 21 breakpoints throughout the match, ultimately converting enough to seal the win in 2 hours and 38 minutes.
The emotional conclusion saw Sabalenka breaking down during the runner-up ceremony, acknowledging the harsh playing conditions and praising Gauff’s mental strength. “You’re a fighter. A hard worker. Congrats on your second Slam,” she said.
This victory marks a full-circle moment for Gauff, who had also defeated Sabalenka in a dramatic final at the 2023 US Open to win her maiden Grand Slam. With this win, she cements her status as one of the sport’s brightest stars, demonstrating that she possesses the mental fortitude and skill to thrive at the highest level. Celebrating with her parents, Candi and Corey, Gauff’s joy was infectious—a clear sign that this is only the beginning of a long and successful journey.
