Paris, 7 June 2025 – Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American tennis sensation, clinched her second Grand Slam singles title at the French Open, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4. The victory marks Gauff as the first American to win at Roland-Garros since Serena Williams in 2015, cementing her status as one of tennis’s brightest stars.
The women’s final, a rematch of the 2023 US Open final, showcased a clash between the world’s top two players. Sabalenka took the first set 7-6 in a tense tiebreak, but Gauff’s resilience shone through. She dominated the second set 6-2 and battled through a gruelling third set to secure a 6-4 win. Gauff’s athleticism, aggressive play, and mental fortitude were pivotal, as she chased down every ball and maintained focus under pressure.
Born in Delray Beach, Florida, Gauff’s talent was evident early. At age 10, she trained in France under Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena Williams’s long-time coach. Her breakthrough came in 2019 at Wimbledon, where, at just 15, she defeated her idol Venus Williams in the first round, becoming the youngest player to reach the fourth round since Jennifer Capriati in 1991.
Gauff’s junior career was equally impressive. She won the 2018 French Open girls’ title, her first junior Grand Slam, without dropping a set until the final, where she defeated compatriot Caty McNally. This victory made her the fifth-youngest girls’ singles champion in French Open history. She also reached the 2017 US Open junior final at 13, becoming the youngest finalist in the tournament’s history.
Her professional debut came in 2018 at age 14 on the ITF Women’s Circuit, where she won her first match. In 2019, she claimed her maiden WTA singles title at Linz, becoming the youngest WTA tour-level champion since 2004. That same year, she won doubles titles in Washington, DC, and Luxembourg alongside McNally.
While Gauff’s favourite surface is hard courts, her versatility has shone across all surfaces. Her aggressive style, bolstered by a powerful serve and exceptional speed, has made her a formidable opponent. In 2023, she won her first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open, defeating Sabalenka. Her 2024 season was stellar, with singles titles in Auckland, Beijing, and the WTA Finals in Riyadh, where she became the youngest champion since Maria Sharapova in 2004. She also secured her first Grand Slam doubles title at the 2024 French Open with Katerina Siniaková.
Gauff’s lawn tennis achievements include a memorable 2019 Wimbledon run, reaching the fourth round, and a 2021 Wimbledon Round of 16 appearance. Her 2022 French Open final appearance, though a loss to Iga Swiatek, marked her as the youngest major finalist since Sharapova in 2004.
Off the court, Gauff is a vocal advocate for social justice, focusing on racial equality and climate change. A Christian, she prays with her father before every match for safety. Her sponsorships with New Balance, Barilla, and Miu Miu reflect her crossover appeal. In 2024, she debuted New Balance shoes inscribed with coordinates of the Delray Beach courts where she honed her craft.
Gauff’s French Open triumph, celebrated across social media, underscores her growing legacy. “Coco is now a Grand Slam champion in singles and doubles,” one fan posted on X, echoing the sentiment of many. With a career-high ranking of No. 2 and a record-breaking $4.8 million prize from the 2024 WTA Finals, Gauff’s future in tennis looks boundless.
