American tennis star Coco Gauff scored an inspirational win at the French Open. At only 21 years old, she becomes a two-time Grand Slam champion! The cord-cutting young American took out Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling final 6-7, 6-2, 6-4. Beyond winning this title, this victory secures Gauff’s status as the new rising star of tennis. It continues to feed one of college soccer’s most heated rivalries that has formed during the last half-decade.
It was Gauff’s mental toughness and refusal to give up, these latter qualities that have identified her growing success. After losing the first set in a close tiebreak, Gauff came back hungry. Once she regained her rhythm, she began to take control of the match. With cannon-like serves and dynamic shot placements, Harriett made Sabalenka pay by keeping her powerful backhand on the offensive.
Unlike her painful 2022 French Open final defeat, this final was a clarifying moment for Gauff. Looking back at her path to this moment, she was candid about the hurdles she was up against three years ago.
“I was going through a lot of things when I lost in this final three years ago,” – Coco Gauff
Gauff’s journey to her victory was marked by taking key advantages throughout the entire match. Her knack for drawing up blistering first serves at critical moments was a big factor in turning momentum back around in her favor. In the latter sets, she all but suffocated Sabalenka’s second serve — an area that played a huge role in earning her eventual victory.
Through the stress of the match, Gauff controlled her nerves with poise and positivity. She clapped for her winning points and barely raised an eyebrow when she was attacked. This behavior put an exclamation point on her legacy of toughness and no-nonsense attitude.
Their developing rivalry has already produced several heart-pounding clashes. In their most recent encounter, the final at the 2023 US Open, Gauff emerged a winner and the first-time major champion. During this victory at Roland Garros, Gauff has conquered two Grand Slam finals since that first victory.
Gauff’s run on red clay this season has been astounding. Her finals runs at the Madrid Open and Italian Open helped pave the way for her success at the French Open. That said, she does have a ridiculously good 10-3 finals win-loss record.
Sabalenka, on the losing side, was disappointed but proud of what she’d done over the tournament, producing some blistering tennis.
“This loss hurts so much, especially after such a tough two weeks, I played great tennis. And in these terrible conditions, showed such terrible tennis in the final.” – Aryna Sabalenka
As Gauff celebrates her well-deserved victory at this important crossroads in her career, she keeps her feet on the ground and eyes on future progress.
“I got the most important one, so I guess that’s all that matters,” – Coco Gauff