Coco Gauff’s triumph at the French Open marks a significant achievement, making her the first American woman to claim the singles title since Serena Williams’ victory in 2015.
French Open 2025
Dates: May 25-June 8 Venue: Roland Garros
Coverage: Live radio coverage on BBC 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds; live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.
Three years ago, Coco Gauff’s heartbreaking loss in the French Open final was a poignant moment.
Then a teenager, Gauff’s emotional display after a straight-set defeat to Iga Swiatek resonated deeply.
However, Gauff’s response has been remarkable.
Her first Grand Slam singles title at the 2023 US Open marked a pivotal moment in her career.
In Paris, the world number two showcased her resilience, overcoming a set deficit to defeat world number one Aryna Sabalenka and secure the Roland Garros championship.
Reflecting on her 2022 defeat, the now 21-year-old Gauff shared, “It was a tough time. I doubted myself, questioning if I could overcome it, particularly my mental approach. I was crying before that final, so nervous. I felt truly ready this time.”
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Gauff’s influence extends beyond the tennis court.
Film director Spike Lee attended the final, while Gauff cited rapper Tyler, the Creator and Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas as sources of inspiration.
After her victory, Gauff revealed a note containing the repeated phrase, ‘I will win French Open 2025’.
Inspired by Thomas, who employed a similar technique before her 200m Olympic win in Paris last year, Gauff explained that a video of Thomas discussing this method reappeared on her TikTok feed the night before the final.
Gauff stated, “It was on my ‘For You’ page, and I felt it was meant to be. I wrote it last night, looking in the mirror, trying to instill it in my mind to build belief. I didn’t know if it would work, but it did.”
Gauff’s mental fortitude has been a subject of discussion.
Concerns regarding her second serve and forehand prompted debates about whether her struggles stemmed from mental or technical aspects.
Self-doubt surfaced in March, with coach Jean-Christophe Faurel noting a frank discussion after a last-16 exit at the Miami Open.
Subsequently, she’s won 18 of 21 matches, reaching three consecutive finals in Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros.
“In Madrid and Rome, she lost the first set of her opening matches. She could have exited early, and people would have again questioned her ability to win,” Faurel told the French Open website., external
“Her mental strength is remarkable. She never gives up. Her strength of character often makes the difference.”
This resilience was evident in the Paris final.
Facing challenging wind conditions and the dominant Sabalenka, Gauff refused to yield.
She rallied from 4-1 down in the first set, then improved significantly as Sabalenka’s frustration grew.
Greg Rusedski, analyzing the match for BBC Radio 5 Live, commented, “Mentally, she’s the strongest in women’s tennis. Her forehand faltered, and it seemed she’d be overwhelmed, but she persevered.”
Coco Gauff’s emotional journey, from tears of sadness in the 2022 French Open final (left) to tears of joy on Saturday (right), is a testament to her growth.
At Wimbledon in 2019, the 15-year-old Gauff played with uninhibited freedom.
The transition to a professional career brought challenges.
Her US Open victory was aided by her team’s encouragement to trust her inherent abilities.
However, the Grand Slam triumph didn’t immediately lead to sustained dominance.
Spanish coach Pere Riba left after the New York win, and Brad Gilbert departed at the end of last season.
This led to the return of Faurel, who had coached her prior to her Wimbledon breakthrough.
Gauff’s performance in the first four months of this season led to a pivotal discussion with Faurel after Miami.
“We needed a change,” Gauff explained.
They focused on improving her serve and playing more aggressively when possible.
Gauff’s victories over Sabalenka have correlated with a first-serve percentage exceeding 60%, a mark she achieved (63%) in her fifth win against her.
“She lost her way,” Faurel added. “She’s not a machine. We may have made mistakes. Now, her clarity allows her to win consistently.”
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