Sabalenka breaks down after loss to Gauff in the Roland Garros final.
The 2025 Roland Garros women’s final was expected to be a clash of titans, and Coco Gauff rose to the moment in spectacular fashion. After a grueling 2-hour, 38-minute battle, the 21-year-old American defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 to clinch her second Grand Slam title and first French Open crown. With the win, Gauff became the first American woman to lift the Roland Garros trophy in a decade, since Serena Williams in 2015.
Read More: Resilient Coco Gauff Edges Out Aryna Sabalenka to Be Crowned the Queen of Roland Garros 2025
As Gauff celebrated her historic win, becoming the first American woman to win Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015, it was heartbreak on the other side of the net.
Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and one of the most dominant players of the season, held back tears during the trophy ceremony but couldn’t contain them for long. Standing on the podium, visibly emotional, she apologized to her team: “I’m sorry for this terrible final.”
The loss, Sabalenka admitted, would “hurt so much.” Her voice cracked as she called her own performance “terrible tennis in the final,” despite the courage it took to battle through a high-stakes match in tough conditions.
But even in the pain of defeat, she was gracious and full of praise for her opponent. “Coco, in these tough conditions, you were the better player,” she said. “You’re a fighter, a hard worker. Congrats on your second Grand Slam. It’s well-deserved. Congrats to you and your team.”
She went on to reflect on the journey to the final, calling it “a great two weeks,” and offered a heartfelt thank you to her team for standing by her. “I’ll come back stronger,” she promised. In a touching moment, she also acknowledged Belgian legend Justine Henin, telling the former champion that she has “been an inspiration for all of us.”
Also Read: Coco Gauff Grand Slams Won- How Many Grand Slams Does Coco Gauff Have?
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