Sabalenka Slammed for Post-Final Comments After Gauff's Historic French Open Win
Coco Gauff Makes History at Roland Garros
Coco Gauff did something no American woman has done in nine years—she conquered the red clay of Roland Garros, beating Aryna Sabalenka in an intense three-set battle: 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4. The win didn’t just hand Coco Gauff her first French Open title; it put her in the footsteps of legends like Serena Williams and Althea Gibson as the third Black woman ever to win in Paris.
The match had everything a tennis fan could ask for. At just 20 years old, Gauff took command after dropping the opening set in a razor-thin tiebreak. She stayed cool despite swirling winds and drizzle, racking up 119 points to Sabalenka’s 100. Gauff was clinical with her chances, converting 9 out of 21 break points and committing just 30 unforced errors—Sabalenka, on the other hand, was plagued by 70. When it came to the pressure moments, Gauff’s serve held up better than Sabalenka’s, winning 60% of her first-serve points compared to 48% from Sabalenka. If there were nerves, you wouldn’t have noticed from the way she played the final two sets.
This victory means even more because of who came before her. Since Serena Williams lifted the trophy in 2015, no American had managed to win the French Open. Gauff's triumph is now part of that rare history, and she gets to add her name to an exclusive club.
Sabalenka's Comments Spark Outrage
Even though Gauff’s win should have been the main story, things heated up after the match in the press room. Aryna Sabalenka, who had put Swiatek out in a dramatic semifinal, was quick to stir the pot. She said that if Iga Swiatek—world number one and three-time French Open champ—had reached the final, Gauff wouldn’t have stood a chance.
For observers, this comment was a gut punch to Gauff’s achievement. Social media was quick to erupt, with fans and experts calling Sabalenka’s comment everything from 'arrogant' to 'classless.' Many pointed out that whatever Sabalenka thought, she had the chance to beat Gauff and didn’t. Plenty of tennis insiders insisted the day should have been about Gauff’s relentless fight, not about hypotheticals and what-ifs.
Gauff didn’t stay quiet. She clapped back in a calm, confident way, referencing that she’d already beaten Swiatek in straight sets just a few weeks earlier in Madrid. Her response was a cool reminder of her rise through the sport’s top ranks. Gauff also reflected on how much this win meant to her personally, sharing her dreams for more Grand Slam trophies but choosing to live in the moment and embrace her Paris victory.
The match lasted 2 hours and 38 minutes, with conditions that could easily have thrown off even an experienced player. Gauff managed the wind and rain patches way better than Sabalenka—something that became clear in each crucial rally. Her resilience and focus, especially after losing the first set, stood out to anyone watching.
There’s no sign of Gauff slowing down. While fans buzz about her place in history, the bigger story is the way she handled the pressure—on and off the court. Meanwhile, Sabalenka’s comments may fade, but Gauff’s name is now forever linked to one of the sport’s toughest titles.