Coco Gauff clinched her first French Open title on Saturday, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 in a gripping final.
Gauff, ranked No. 2, overcame a tense, momentum-shifting match to earn her second Grand Slam title after winning the 2023 U.S. Open, also against Sabalenka.
“This will hurt so much. Coco, congrats, in the tough conditions you were a better player than me,” Sabalenka said tearfully.
Gauff collapsed in joy after Sabalenka’s final backhand went wide, sobbing as she lay on the clay. She later celebrated with director Spike Lee and her team.
“The crowd really helped me today… I don’t know what I did to deserve so much love from the French crowd,” Gauff said.
Gauff broke Sabalenka twice in the final set and held on to seal the win in 2 hours, 38 minutes.
It was the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 women’s final in Paris since 2013. Gauff now has two French Open titles, including last year’s doubles crown.