Coco Gauff won her first French Open title on Saturday, taking a major step toward fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming one of tennis’s greatest players. The 21-year-old American secured the title with a hard-fought 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 comeback against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris, in a match lasting two hours and 38 minutes. This victory not only marks a milestone in Gauff’s career but also highlights her continued rise as a dominant force in women’s tennis.

Throughout the tournament, Gauff displayed remarkable resilience and skill, dropping only one set on her way to the final. Her triumph at Roland Garros came after years of steady development, boosting her stature among tennis elites and reinforcing her position as the sport’s No. 2 ranked player behind Sabalenka.

From Young Prodigy to Established Champion

Gauff’s journey in tennis began drawing global attention at age 15 when she defeated Venus Williams, one of her childhood idols and a seven-time major champion, during Wimbledon. This breakthrough win in 2019 on Centre Court launched “Cocomania,” an electrifying buzz around her potential and future. At the time, she was an unknown wildcard in the qualifying rounds, but tennis experts quickly recognized her as a rising star.

Despite early hype, Gauff experienced a gradual climb to her first Grand Slam title. After reaching the 2022 French Open final and claiming the 2023 US Open championship, she faced a period without additional major final appearances. Still, her 2024 season showed growth through consecutive final showings in top-tier clay events and a WTA Finals title, preparing her for sustained success at Roland Garros.

Defining Moments and Mental Fortitude on Clay

Her final match against Sabalenka tested Gauff’s maturity and resolve. After losing a lengthy first set in a tiebreak, Gauff regrouped without frustration or visible distress, knowing all too well the disappointment of falling short in the 2022 final. She dominated the second set in just 33 minutes with commanding serving and aggressive play and maintained composure throughout the decisive third set.

Her ability to perform under pressure was widely praised. Former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki remarked on Gauff’s exceptional maturity for someone her age after the match. Sabalenka also acknowledged Gauff’s tenacity and hard work in her on-court comments, recognizing the growing champion she faced.

Joining Tennis’ Legendary Ranks

Gauff’s win solidifies her status among the sport’s greats. With 27 match victories at Roland Garros, she ties Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario for the fourth-most Open Era wins by a woman before age 22 and surpasses Serena Williams for the second-most by an American in this category. She trails only Chris Evert, who claimed seven French Open titles.

Moreover, Gauff became the first American woman to win Roland Garros since Serena Williams a decade ago, and remains one of only five American women in the Open Era to win multiple major titles by 21, alongside legends like Serena, Venus Williams, Evert, and Tracy Austin.

Celebrations and Reflections After Victory

The win drew admiration from a spectrum of tennis and cultural icons. Billie Jean King and former First Lady Michelle Obama were among those congratulating Gauff on social media. Spike Lee, attending the final courtside, was the first person she embraced after the final point, celebrating her milestone with genuine emotion.

Despite the spotlight on her growing fame and historical significance, Gauff focused on the personal meaning of the victory and the lessons learned from past defeats. During the anthem at the trophy ceremony, she recalled watching Iga Swiatek’s earlier win in Paris and absorbing every detail of that experience.

“When the anthem got played today, I kind of had those reflections,”

she said, emphasizing the emotional weight of achieving this moment herself.

Strong Performances Throughout the Season

Gauff’s success at the French Open came on the heels of an impressive clay-court season that included victories over multiple major champions and top-10 players such as Iga Swiatek, Emma Raducanu, and Zheng Qinwen. She also survived tough three-set matches, including a semifinal battle against rising French star Lois Boisson, who applauded Gauff’s consistent superiority.

Boisson acknowledged after their match,

“She was really solid, and I couldn’t play my game today because she was just too good.”

Such victories highlight Gauff’s balanced combination of power, speed, and mental toughness, crucial for her continued ascent in the world rankings.

Looking Ahead: Upcoming Tournaments and Goals

While Gauff currently trails Sabalenka in ranking points, she has multiple opportunities to close the gap during the upcoming grass-court season. Her next tournament is scheduled for Berlin, although she has yet to finalize her participation. Historically, Wimbledon has posed challenges for Gauff, with her best result being the fourth round, achieved in both 2021 and 2024. However, buoyed by her recent form, she aims to advance further this year.

Her season will continue with the US Open summer hard-court series, where expectations and media attention will intensify, especially with Gauff playing in front of a home crowd. Yet, she has demonstrated the poise and skill to manage such pressures effectively.

Coco’s Vision: Ambition and Perspective

From her earliest days in the sport, Gauff has held grand ambitions. When asked about her ultimate aim shortly after her first major victory, she stated plainly,

“I want to be the greatest.”

She admits to moments of self-doubt but embraces the mindset that outspoken confidence is necessary to achieve greatness. This blend of humility and determination has characterized her career so far.

Reflecting on how she manages the immense pressure of high-stakes matches, Gauff expressed a grounded outlook.

“I think just realizing how minuscule it is,”

she said about dealing with significant moments. She recognizes that many others would dream of reaching such heights and appreciates the privilege in simply competing. Her perspective focuses on balancing ambition with gratitude, a vital trait as she forges her path in tennis history.

Voices of Admiration from Tennis Legends

Chris Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, emphasized Gauff’s bright future during the post-match broadcast:

“She has so many [major titles] ahead of her. I mean we saw that at 15 years old. We saw when she beat Venus at Wimbledon. We thought, ‘This girl’s going to be winning 10, 12, 14 major titles. She’s got the game and if she can stay healthy…’ She just loves the game and she’s going to be around for a long, long time winning majors.”

—Chris Evert, Tennis Legend

Wozniacki also praised the young champion’s poise, stating,

“She’s so much more mature than a 21-year-old.”

—Caroline Wozniacki, Former World No. 1

When Sloane Stephens, 2017 US Open champion, asked Gauff about her plans moving forward, Gauff replied, “Hopefully another one,” adding,

“Yeah, definitely another one. But for now, just enjoying this one and I’m just glad to get another title to my resume.”

—Coco Gauff, Champion