PARIS — Coco Gauff cemented her status as one of tennis’ brightest young stars by capturing her second Grand Slam title at the 2024 French Open, overcoming a determined Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final. The 20-year-old American rallied from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a match that showcased her grit, tactical evolution, and unwavering composure under pressure.
A Battle of Contrasting Styles
The championship clash pitted Gauff’s defensive brilliance and court coverage against Sabalenka’s raw power and aggressive baseline game. Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, dominated early with her trademark thunderous groundstrokes, breaking Gauff twice to claim the opening set. "I knew I had to stay patient," Gauff said afterward. "Aryna was hitting winners from everywhere, but I trusted my legs and my ability to extend points."
The turning point came in the second set when Gauff adjusted her strategy:
- She began slicing more to disrupt Sabalenka’s rhythm
- Targeted Sabalenka’s weaker backhand wing with deep, angled shots
- Increased her first-serve percentage from 58% to 72%
The Decisive Third Set
The final set became a test of nerve as both players traded breaks early. At 4-4, Gauff produced what she called "the best returning game of my life," winning 12 of 13 points to break Sabalenka at love. She then served out the match with clinical precision, sealing victory when Sabalenka sent a forehand long after 2 hours and 23 minutes of intense battle.
Key Statistics
The numbers revealed how Gauff weathered Sabalenka’s power:
- Gauff won 71% of points on Sabalenka’s second serve
- Converted 5 of 8 break points compared to Sabalenka’s 3 of 9
- Made just 18 unforced errors in the final two sets
Emotional Victory Speech
During the trophy ceremony, an emotional Gauff thanked her team and family, particularly her father Corey, who coached her from childhood. "This one is for you, Dad," she said through tears. "All those early mornings at the courts, all the sacrifices - this proves it was worth it." She also paid tribute to Sabalenka, calling her "one of the toughest competitors on tour."
Sabalenka, who was bidding to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the Australian Open and French Open in the same year, was gracious in defeat: "Coco played unbelievable tennis today. She deserved this more than me. I’ll be back stronger." The Belarusian later revealed she had been struggling with a stomach issue since the quarterfinals but refused to use it as an excuse.
A Star on the Rise
At just 20 years and 83 days, Gauff became:
- The youngest American to win multiple Grand Slams since Serena Williams in 2002
- The first American woman to win Roland Garros since Serena in 2015
- Only the fourth active player under 21 with multiple majors (joining Swiatek, Osaka and Andreescu)
Her victory also marked a significant milestone for American tennis - the first time since 2002 (Serena Williams at Wimbledon) that an American woman has won a Grand Slam outside of the US Open. Tennis legend Billie Jean King tweeted: "Coco’s maturity and sportsmanship belie her age. She represents everything great about our sport’s future."
Road to the Title
Gauff’s path to the championship was anything but easy:
- Survived a 3-hour marathon against Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the third round
- Overcame former champion Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets in the quarters
- Defeated world No. 3 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, ending the Pole’s 20-match Roland Garros winning streak
Her coach, Brad Gilbert, noted the significance of the Swiatek victory: "Beating Iga on clay gave Coco the belief she could win the whole thing. That match was the real final in many ways." Gauff had lost all four previous meetings with Swiatek, including the 2022 French Open final.
What’s Next
With this victory, Gauff will rise to a career-high No. 2 in the WTA rankings when they are released Monday. She becomes the youngest American to reach that position since Martina Hingis in 1997. The tennis world now turns its attention to Wimbledon, where Gauff will attempt to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the French Open-Wimbledon double.
When asked about her goals for the rest of the season, Gauff remained characteristically humble: "I’m just taking it one tournament at a time. Right now I want to enjoy this moment with my team. We’ll prepare for grass when the time comes." Her victory in Paris cements her status not just as tennis’ present, but as one of the sport’s most promising futures.
As the clay court season concludes, several storylines emerge:
- Sabalenka’s quest to regain the No. 1 ranking
- Swiatek’s response to her earliest French Open exit since 2019
- Whether Gauff can translate her clay success to other surfaces