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The French Open isn’t just another Grand Slam – it’s a psychological gauntlet played on crushed brick, where patience is tested, game plans are shredded by the wind, and the greats either rise or unravel. In 2025, 21-year-old Coco Gauff didn’t just rise, she soared, claiming her first French Open title and second career Grand Slam by outlasting world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a fierce, wind-blown three-setter: 6–7(5), 6–2, 6–4.
And yet, what followed the match said as much about Coco’s class as the match itself did about her grit.
Despite being on the losing end of yet another match against Gauff, their fourth meeting, and Sabalenka’s fourth loss – the Belarusian didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet in defeat. In press interviews, Sabalenka pinned the outcome squarely on the wind, saying, “It was unplayable,” and “it just wasn’t tennis out there today.” What didn’t she do? Congratulate Gauff for her resilience, her strategy, or her ability to adapt better to the same gusty chaos. One might think the wind was a personal attack aimed only at her side of the net.
This lack of sportsmanship didn’t go unnoticed. Fans, commentators, and even fellow players voiced disappointment over Sabalenka’s inability to offer a basic “well done” to her opponent. While frustration in defeat is understandable, especially in a Slam final, there’s a difference between losing and being a sore loser. And when you’re world No. 1, your words carry weight.
To be clear, this isn’t the first time Sabalenka has come up short against Coco. Gauff holds a 4–0 record over her, including a massive win in the 2023 U.S. Open final that earned Gauff her first Slam. If there’s one player Sabalenka can’t seem to solve, it’s Coco — and at this point, the rivalry is starting to feel a bit one-sided.
But rivalry isn’t just about head-to-head stats. It’s also about character. And here’s where Gauff shines. After every victory, she’s gracious. After every loss, introspective. She praises her opponents, takes ownership of her performance, and never lets ego cloud her perspective. In a sport where tempers can flare and microphones are always on, Coco brings a breath of fresh air — and a reminder that strength and humility aren’t opposites.
Tennis, like any high-stakes sport, thrives on rivalries. Federer-Nadal. Serena-Sharapova. Djokovic-anyone-with-a-pulse. But what separates iconic rivalries from petty ones is mutual respect. You don’t have to like your opponent, but you do have to respect the battle — and the warrior on the other side of the net.
Gauff’s win in Paris wasn’t just a victory on paper. It was proof that poise matters, especially when your opponent is flustered, your hair is whipping into your mouth, and your sneakers are full of red dust. Her ability to dig deep after losing the first set, stay mentally sharp in tough conditions, and rise above both adversity and attitude proves why she’s a champion.
And this wasn’t just any title — it ended a ten-year drought for American women at Roland Garros, with Serena Williams being the last to hoist the trophy in 2015. Gauff’s name now enters that elite conversation, but she’s doing it on her terms: with headphones blasting Tyler, the Creator, a few affirmations whispered courtside, and a smile that says, “I told you I’d get here.”
Now the question becomes: where does this rivalry go? Will Sabalenka learn from her missteps and finally find an answer to Coco’s court craft? Will she show more grace in future defeats? Only time will tell. But one thing’s certain: if the rivalry continues, Coco Gauff has already won the most important battle — not just on the scoreboard, but in the hearts of fans who value not just greatness, but goodness.
So, whether you’re watching for the rallies, the rivalries, or the real-life lessons in resilience, the Gauff era is here — and it’s glorious.
Author Profile
- Tessa Winkleman is a dynamic scholar-athlete and aspiring sports law professional. Raised in Las Vegas before heading to Michigan (Go Blue!), she earned a Division I volleyball scholarship to St. Francis College in Brooklyn. After transferring to Hunter College, she led her team as MVP, earning numerous athletic and academic honors. Tessa has interned at McShane & Bowie LLP and the PREA Investigation Unit at Rikers Island, combining her passions for justice and advocacy. She is set to pursue a master’s degree in Sports Law and Management at the Universidad Europea de Madrid, in partnership with Real Madrid FC.
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