PARIS (AP) — In an inspiring display of self-belief and determination, Coco Gauff captured her second major title at the French Open, fulfilling a dream that she has long cherished. The 21-year-old American tennis star triumphed over the top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 in a thrilling final held on Saturday. This victory not only adds to her previous U.S. Open title secured two years ago but also solidifies her status as one of the sport's rising stars.
Heading into the final, Gauff recognized that she needed an extra push to compete against the more in-form Sabalenka. To motivate herself, she drew inspiration from fellow athlete Gabby Thomas, who famously became the Olympic champion in the women's 200-meter race at last year’s Paris Olympics. Thomas had a habit of writing down affirmations, stating her goal of becoming an Olympic champion in her Notes app. Emulating this approach, Gauff took a piece of paper and wrote, “I will be French Open champion 2025” multiple times. “She (Thomas) wrote ‘I will be the Olympic champion’ and she ended up winning the gold. I think it’s a great mindset that she had,” Gauff explained.
Late on Friday night, after writing her affirmations, Gauff engaged in another self-affirmation exercise. She looked into the mirror, convincing herself that she was staring at the face of a soon-to-be French Open champion. “Looking at myself in the mirror, I was trying to instill that belief, and obviously it happened. I didn’t know if it was going to work or not. (But) it did,” Gauff said, laughing as she added, “When you’re desperate, you’re just trying anything to think that it’s going to help you win.” This belief was further reinforced when she shared a message on Instagram from four years ago, starting with, “I had a dream last night that I will win (the) French Open.”
The match itself was a test of mental fortitude, lasting 2 hours and 38 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Gauff’s ability to maintain her composure was a stark contrast to Sabalenka, who struggled with her emotions throughout the match. While Sabalenka was vocal and animated, expressing her frustrations, Gauff exhibited an almost serene focus. “I know how important it is for me to let out those emotions so that when I come on the match court, I can try and be as calm as possible,” Gauff said, emphasizing her growth as a player. “I’m more cool-headed in matches. But in practice, I can get pretty upset. Just let me be upset. If I’m upset, I’d rather be upset on the practice court than the match.”
With this remarkable victory, Gauff is now set to transition to the grass-court season. She may compete in Berlin, Germany, next week before heading to London for Wimbledon, which begins on May 30. During her time in London, Gauff plans to indulge in one of her favorite pastimes: escaping from Escape Rooms. “For sure, I love it, and I’m going to definitely do it,” she said, revealing her playful side.
As for Aryna Sabalenka, the disappointment of losing the final is fresh, but she has her own plans for recovery. Rather than analyzing the match footage, she is looking forward to a relaxing getaway to Greece. “I already have a flight booked to Mykonos and alcohol, sugar. I just need a couple of days to completely forget about this crazy world,” Sabalenka shared. “Tequila, gummy bears, and I don’t know, swimming, being like the tourist for a couple of days.”
