Gauff earns first French Open title

PARIS — Drawing on the painful memory of her defeat three years ago in the French Open final gave Coco Gauff just the motivation she needed to win the clay-court major for the first time.

The 21-year-old American defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 on Saturday for her second Grand Slam title, two years after winning the US Open.

"I think (the US Open victory) was more emotional but this one was harder," said Gauff, who managed to handle the elements and the momentum swings better than Sabalenka. "I knew it was going to be about will power and mental (strength)."

The victory put to rest the bad memories of her 2022 French Open final loss to Iga Swiatek when, as an 18-year-old, Gauff felt overwhelmed even before stepping onto Court Philippe-Chatrier.

"It was a tough time, I was doubting myself," Gauff recalled. "I was crying before the match, and so nervous, literally couldn't breathe and stuff."

Gauff said that the lopsided loss rocked her confidence to such an extent that she was left "in a dark place" and feared she was not cut out for winning major titles.

"I thought if I can't handle this how am I going to handle it again?" she said.

She handled it just fine on Saturday.

The second-ranked Gauff made fewer mistakes and kept her emotions in check to get the better of Sabalenka again at major final, having come from a set down to beat the Belarusian in the 2023 US Open final.

Gauff raised the winners' trophy aloft, then kissed it several times. She held her hand over her heart when the US national anthem played.

"This one is heavy," Gauff said. "It feels great to lift it."

She is the first American woman to win at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015.

It was the first No 1 vs No 2 final in Paris since 2013, when Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, and just the second in the last 30 years.

After Sabalenka sent a backhand wide on Gauff's second match point, the 21-year-old American fell onto her back, covering her face with both hands as she started to sob, then got up and held her hand over her mouth. She continued to sob as she patted the clay with her left hand.

Gauff greeted Sabalenka at the net with a warm hug and thanking the umpire, Gauff screamed out with joy and relief, then got to her knees and crouched forward, continuing to cry as she savored the win.

She hugged later film director Spike Lee and celebrated with her entourage in her box before thanking the fans.

"You guys were cheering for me so hard," she said. "I don't know what I did to deserve so much love from the French crowd."

One thing Gauff could not manage — yet — was a victory speech in French.

"I completely tanked on that," she said, adding that she will try in the future. "I don't think I could do a whole speech but maybe a good something to say to the French crowd."