Coco Gauff Wins First French Open Title in Epic Comeback Against Sabalenka

Coco Gauff cemented her place among tennis greats on Saturday, winning her first French Open title in a gritty comeback over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at Roland-Garros Stadium in Paris.

Gauff, 21, dropped the opening set in a tense tiebreak, 6-7(5), but stormed back with precision and poise, taking the next two sets 6-2, 6-4. The victory marks her second Grand Slam title, adding to her 2023 U.S. Open win, and makes her the first American woman to win in Paris since Serena Williams in 2015.

As the final point landed, Gauff collapsed to the clay in disbelief, hands covering her face as the weight of the moment hit. “Oh my god,” she mouthed, overcome with emotion before embracing Sabalenka at the net. The moment felt like a full-circle arrival—Gauff no longer the teenage prodigy, but a battle-tested champion.

After the match, Gauff climbed into the stands to celebrate with her team, including director Spike Lee and her parents. The scene was electric, filled with tears, hugs, and sheer joy.

Among the many congratulatory messages pouring in, former First Lady Michelle Obama posted on X:

“Your determination, strength, and grace throughout the French Open has inspired us all — and showed us what’s possible. Proud of you!”

Gauff’s win is more than a title—it’s a historic achievement. She’s the youngest woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams first did it in 2002, and her path was anything but easy. Facing the top-ranked player in the world, Gauff showed tactical maturity and mental resilience well beyond her years.

“I didn’t think I could do it,” Gauff admitted during the trophy ceremony. “But I’d like to quote American rap star Tyler the Creator, who said: ‘If I ever told you that I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying.’ I think I was lying to myself, because I could do it.”

She added, “I also felt like this is one I really wanted, because I do think this was one of the tournaments that, when I was younger, I felt I had the best shot of winning. I just felt like if I went through my career and didn’t get at least one of these, I would feel regrets and stuff.”

Now there’s no doubt. Coco Gauff is not just the future of American tennis—she’s the present.