For the first time in a decade, Coco Gauff has won the French Open title for the United States, marking her first victory at Roland-Garros.
The world’s No. 2 in women’s singles defeated top-ranked Belarusian, Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4, during Saturday’s final in Paris, the first American to win the title since Serena Williams in 2015.
The match also marked the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 match at the French Open since Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova in 2013.
“I honestly didn’t think I could do it,” said Gauff after her win. “But I’m going to quote Tyler the Creator who said, ‘If I ever told you I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying.’ I think I was lying to myself, and I definitely could do it.”
After her Grand Slam loss at age 18 in 2022 put Gauff in a “dark place,” she thanked her fans for their support. “The crowd really helped me today, you guys were cheering for me so hard and I don’t know what I did to deserve so much love from the French crowd. But I appreciate you, guys,” she said.
Spike Lee was on-hand to help Gauff celebrate the victory, giving her a hug after the match.
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