Coco Gauff has added another Grand Slam title to her growing resume. On June 7, 2025, the 21-year-old American defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in three sets — 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 — to win the French Open at Roland-Garros. This marks Gauff’s first title on clay and her second career Grand Slam, following her U.S. Open triumph in 2023.
The match began with early dominance from Sabalenka, who surged to a 4-1 lead in the opening set. But Gauff, known for her poise and court awareness, fought back to force a tiebreak. Sabalenka secured the first set with her powerful baseline play, but Gauff adapted quickly. In the second set, she took control, capitalizing on Sabalenka’s rising error count — 70 unforced errors in total — and shifted the momentum entirely in her favor.
The deciding set saw both players exchange heavy groundstrokes, but Gauff maintained the edge, sealing the match after Sabalenka missed a deep return. Gauff collapsed to the clay, overcome with emotion as she became the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015.
The victory was not only a career milestone but also a personal redemption. Gauff had previously reached the French Open final in 2022, where she lost to Iga Światek. This time, she returned with experience, tactical variety, and a better ability to handle pressure. Her movement and creative shot selection outlasted Sabalenka’s power game.
Sabalenka, who won the U.S. Open in 2024 and the Australian Open in January 2025, made her first final appearance at Roland-Garros. While visibly disappointed, she congratulated Gauff during the post-match ceremony and vowed to return stronger. Her semifinal win over Światek ended a 26-match win streak for the Polish player at the French Open.
The championship match also carried financial rewards. Gauff earned nearly $2.9 million in prize money, while Sabalenka received about $1.45 million. The tournament’s total prize pool surpassed $64 million, with equal payouts for men and women.
Gauff’s win drew praise from across the sports world, including tennis legend Billie Jean King and fellow American players. The victory also followed a strong showing by American women throughout the tournament — Gauff defeated Madison Keys in the quarterfinals, and French newcomer Lois Boisson made a semifinal run.
Gauff now leads Sabalenka 6-5 in their career head-to-head record, with both of her Grand Slam titles coming from matches in which she dropped the first set. When asked whether she would have preferred to face Światek in the final, Gauff replied with confidence, saying she believed she could win against either opponent.
Looking ahead, Gauff’s consistent growth and ability to adapt position her as a continued force in women’s tennis. With two major titles before the age of 22, her trajectory remains promising.
2025 French Open – Women’s Singles Final
- Winner: Coco Gauff (USA)
- Runner-Up: Aryna Sabalenka (BLR)
- Final Score: 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4
- Prize Money:
- Gauff: $2,897,947
- Sabalenka: $1,449,228
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