Coco Gauff shared that the large French Open trophy she celebrated with after her victory at Roland Garros is not the one she gets to keep. Instead, she takes home a much smaller replica of the trophy, adding a personal keepsake to her collection following her dramatic win against Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka in the tournament final.
At the 2025 French Open, Gauff triumphed under challenging windy conditions, securing the title with a nail-biting scoreline of 7(7)-6(5), 2-6, 4-6. This win came after a tough loss in the 2022 French Open final against Iga Swiatek and followed her US Open championship the previous year. Despite the physical and mental pressure of such high-stakes matches, the young American displayed incredible perseverance and skill to claim her second major title.
After her victory, Gauff was visibly emotional, collapsing with tears of joy as the audience cheered her accomplishment. Contrary to popular belief, winning players do not take the main trophy home. Gauff clarified this detail in a video on TikTok, revealing that the tournament retains the official trophy and only awards a tiny replica to the champions.
She illustrated the contrast by showing both trophies side by side, emphasizing the symbolic importance despite the replica’s small size.
“I just won a French Open for Rolland Garros, and this is the trophy that you guys see, the one that we take pictures with, do press, and all that. But actually, we don’t get to take this home. This stays with the tournament, and I’m going to show you guys the one we take home. It’s a lot smaller. So this is the one we take home. It’s a mini replica of the trophy. And yeah, I guess to compare it, it’s really small… But, you know, it’s the memories that matter the most. It is very pretty, and it is like a miniature version of the real trophy.”
—Coco Gauff, professional tennis player
Before this victory, Gauff had recently faced Sabalenka at the Mutua Madrid Open, where she lost to the Belarusian, which made this French Open final triumph even more significant. This win reaffirms Gauff’s rising stature in the tennis world as a determined and resilient competitor.
Challenges and Pride Beyond the Court
Gauff’s achievements resonate beyond tennis, especially in light of social and political tensions in her home country. After the 2016 US presidential election, when Donald Trump was elected, Gauff expressed how representing her nation felt more complex and emotionally charged. She has aimed to be a symbol of hope for those who, like her, experienced difficult times amid the country’s divide.
“Obviously there’s a lot going on in our country right now with things … like, everything, yeah. I’m sure you guys know. But just to be able to be a representation of that and a representation of, I guess, people that look like me in America who maybe don’t feel as supported during this time period … just being that reflection of hope and light for those people,”
—Coco Gauff, professional tennis player
At only 21 years old, Gauff has already secured ten singles titles and nine doubles titles, highlighting her versatility and success on the tour. Her role as the youngest female flag-bearer for the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics further underscores her importance as a figure in American sports, inspiring many beyond the tennis courts.
The Lasting Impact of Gauff’s French Open Victory
Gauff’s win at Roland Garros is not only a key milestone in her career but also a moment of representation amid challenging times in her country. The miniature French Open trophy she now holds serves as a tangible reminder of her perseverance and growth as a top player. As she continues to compete against elite opponents like Sabalenka and Swiatek, this victory adds experience and confidence that could fuel future successes at major events, including the US Open and the Olympics.
Her story reflects a blend of sporting excellence and personal resilience, showing how an athlete can serve as an emblem of hope while striving for greatness in a fiercely competitive landscape.