Coco Gauff has narrated how difficult it was for her to win her second career Grand Slam title after she defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka in three sets in Saturday’s French Open women’s singles final, Afrosport reports.
The 21-year-old American lost the first set in a nervy tie break that her saw lose serve three times. Gauff however adjusted in the next two sets as she was broken only twice while she broke Sabalenka a combined five times to win 6-2, 6-4.
It is Gauff’s second attempt at winning the French Open after she lost the 2022 final in straight sets to Iga Swiatek, and now adds 2025’s triumph to the US Open title she won in 2023 when she also defeated Sabalenka.
She is the first American to win at Roland Garros since Serena Williams a decade ago.
“Obviously I think the first one was maybe more emotional, but I think this one was just harder because, you know, you win one, and you just don’t want to get satisfied with just that one,” she said.
“So it was very difficult to match up. And 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 that I felt I had the best shot of winning.
“So, 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.
“Playing Aryna, I was just, like, I just gotta go for it and try my best to get through the match. Yeah, that’s what I did.”
Grand Slam title No.
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Sabalenka, reflecting on the match, called it her worst final and vowed not to lose in such manner in a Grand Slam final again.
“I have to say in the past two weeks I played really tough matches, really incredible players,” she stated.
“Yeah, I played definitely better level than in the final. It was really honestly the worst tennis I’ve played in the last, I don’t know, in the last I don’t know how many month.
“Conditions were terrible, and she simply was better in these conditions than me. I think it was the worst final.”
The Belarusian added: “But right now I don’t see how can I be easy on myself, because honestly, guys, it’s the worst match I’ve played in the last couple of months.
“It’s just a joke. I cannot do that anymore in the finals. I wouldn’t care if I would play like that in, I don’t know, fourth round or quarter-finals, but in the final of a Grand Slam, it’s a bit — it’s a bit not right.”
Despite her loss, Sabalenka maintains her place as world number one in the WTA rankings while Gauff remains number two after raking up 2000 points.
