Coco Gauff found inspiration in the painful memory of her defeat three years ago at the French Open final, using it as motivation to secure her first victory at the clay-court major. The 21-year-old American triumphed over top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday, claiming her second Grand Slam title, following her U.S. Open win two years prior.
Reflecting on her past triumph at the U.S. Open, Gauff expressed that while that victory was more emotional, this recent win was more challenging. She emphasized the importance of willpower and mental strength in overcoming the elements and momentum swings against Sabalenka.
This victory marked a significant turnaround for Gauff, erasing the haunting memories of her defeat in the 2022 French Open final to Iga Swiatek, where she felt overwhelmed and doubted herself. The experience left her in a dark place, questioning her ability to succeed in major tournaments.
Despite her past struggles, Gauff displayed composure and resilience during the final match. She outperformed Sabalenka, making fewer errors and maintaining control over her emotions to secure the victory. This win not only allowed Gauff to lift the winners’ trophy but also made her the first American woman to win at Roland-Garros since Serena Williams in 2015.
The intense match, which was the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 women’s final in Paris in nearly a decade, witnessed emotional moments as Gauff fell to the ground in tears after securing the win. Embracing Sabalenka at the net with a warm hug, Gauff expressed gratitude to her fans for their unwavering support.
Despite her victory, Gauff admitted her inability to deliver a victory speech in French, promising to improve her language skills for future occasions. Sabalenka praised Gauff for her fighting spirit and acknowledged the challenging conditions that affected their gameplay.
Both players struggled with errors and the windy conditions throughout the match, with Sabalenka visibly frustrated at times. Despite facing setbacks, Gauff remained focused and aware of Sabalenka’s potential to turn the game around.
The match showcased moments of brilliance amid challenging conditions, with Gauff demonstrating her determination and skill to emerge victorious in a hard-fought battle on the clay court.
