Coco Gauff got here to Paris chasing a lifelong dream, and now the 21-year-old American has carved her place in historical past. A teary-eyed Gauff held off world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 on the French Open Ultimate in one in all her most interesting profession performances to seize her second Grand Slam in memorable style.
The win marks the primary main title for an American on clay since Serena Williams in 2015, and it was Gauff’s first profession victory in 5 tries over a top-ranked participant in a serious.
The finale was the primary No. 1 vs. No. 2 at Roland Garros on the ladies’s facet since 2013, when Williams defeated Maria Sharapova.
“I need to congratulate Aryna, you deserve all the outcomes that you’ve,” Gauff mentioned after kissing the trophy and pausing for the nationwide anthem close to heart court docket. “I need to thank my workforce … you remind me there’s extra to life than tennis, and I feel that is what makes me play higher on the court docket. Because of the group for cheering for me so exhausting. I do not know what I did to deserve a lot love from the French crowd, however I respect you guys.
“I did not suppose actually I may do it. I am really going to cite Tyler, The Creator proper now: ‘If I ever informed you I had a doubt inside me, I might suppose I used to be mendacity.’ Shout out to you guys and shout out to Paris.”
Gauff, stoic your complete match, had sufficient fuel within the tank after a primary set marathon to complete provide Sabalenka with consecutive dominant units in thrilling style. Sabalenka, who had gained three of the earlier eight majors atop girls’s singles, received to deuce within the last sport earlier than Gauff captured back-to-back factors and went to the clay in victory after a volley return sailed broad.
It was Gauff’s first main finals look since she gained the U.S. Open in 2023.
“I want to thank my mother and father and thanks for giving me the idea I may do it,” Gauff mentioned. “To my brothers at dwelling, you guys are the the reason why I do that and also you encourage me.”
Gauff discovered her management within the second set after being down 4-1 at one level within the first earlier than dropping the tiebreak, 7-6. Sabalenka nodded to antagonistic wind situations and the sunshine mist that began to fall halfway by the third set as a part of the explanation for her failures.
Sabalenka made 70 unforced errors, in comparison with 30 from Gauff.
“This one hurts a lot, particularly after the previous two weeks taking part in nice tennis,” Sabalenka mentioned. “Taking part in in horrible situations within the last actually hurts, however that is okay. Coco, you have been a greater participant [than] me. Effectively executed.”
