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Coco Gauff Aces French Open, Clinching First Singles Title
American tennis sensation Coco Gauff triumphed at the French Open on Saturday, securing her first women’s singles Grand Slam title. In a thrilling three-set match, Gauff bested top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, becoming the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015.
The victory wasn’t without its nail-biting moments. Gauff described the rollercoaster of emotions she experienced after losing her first match point: “Losing the first match point, I felt like I was holding my breath the whole game.
She shanked it and I thought it was going out. My heart rate spiked, I was getting ready to celebrate, and then the ball went in!
I was like, ‘Are you serious?’ I just prayed for one more chance, and I took advantage of it.”
Following the match, Gauff reflected on her win on Instagram, sharing, “I learned having doubt enter your head is impossible to escape, but not impossible to overcome.” The 21-year-old, who also won the 2023 US Open, admitted that self-doubt still creeps in, but she actively works to transform those thoughts into positive affirmations. “I try to lean on the positivity and the belief, and I think that’s what carried me through,” she stated.
The match played out in challenging windy conditions, a factor Sabalenka initially attributed to her loss. However, the Belarusian later clarified her comments on Instagram, praising Gauff as the “better player” who “fully deserved to win.”
Gauff, who grew up playing in Florida’s often windy conditions, took the initial comments in stride. “It was tough conditions and a tough match,” she acknowledged, adding that windy conditions demand a different approach to the game.
This marks Gauff’s second Grand Slam title. With increasing consistency in her performance, she expressed a growing sense of belonging at the top of the tennis world. “I worked so hard to be where I belong,” she affirmed.
Gauff expressed gratitude for her family’s unwavering support throughout her journey. “Having that support system is so important, especially playing tennis and being on tour since I was 15,” she shared. Looking ahead, Gauff has her sights set on Wimbledon.