PARIS — Coco Gauff’s journey to her first French Open title was not just a triumph of skill, but of mental resilience. The 20-year-old American, who once sobbed on court after a heartbreaking loss in Paris, turned her pain into power—fueled by a simple yet profound self-addressed note: "I will win the 2025 French Open."
That handwritten message, tucked away in her phone for years, became the cornerstone of Gauff’s belief system. When she finally lifted the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen in 2024, she didn’t just fulfill a prophecy—she proved the transformative power of self-affirmation. "I wrote that note after my loss in 2022," Gauff revealed in her post-match press conference. "I needed to see my future before I could live it."
From Tears to Triumph: The Turning Point
Gauff’s relationship with Roland Garros was once defined by anguish. In 2022, she collapsed in tears after a first-round exit, later admitting she felt "lost and unprepared for the pressure." But that moment sparked a reckoning. With her team, including coach Brad Gilbert, she overhauled her approach:
- Mental reset: Daily journaling and visualization exercises replaced self-doubt.
- Tactical evolution: Gilbert sharpened her net game and drop shots—key weapons in her 2024 run.
- Embracing pressure: "I stopped seeing expectations as burdens," Gauff explained.
The Note That Changed Everything
Sports psychologists highlight Gauff’s note as a textbook example of "future self-authoring." Dr. Leah Lagos, a performance psychologist, explains: "Writing to your future self creates neural pathways that make success feel inevitable. Coco didn’t just hope—she declared."
The evidence? Gauff’s 2024 stats tell the story:
- 83% net points won in the final against Jasmine Paolini
- 42 unforced errors across her last three matches—down from 120 in 2022
- 72% first-serve accuracy in windy semifinal conditions
Breaking the Curse: American Women in Paris
Gauff’s victory ended a 23-year drought for American women at Roland Garros. The last champion? Serena Williams in 2002. "Serena texted me before the final," Gauff shared. "She said, ‘It’s your time—take it.’"
The Final: A Masterclass in Composure
Facing Italy’s Paolini, Gauff turned a nervy start (losing the first two games) into a 6-4, 6-3 clinic. Key moments:
- 4-4, first set: A 22-shot rally ended with a backhand winner—the match’s turning point
- Break point saved: A 117 mph serve out wide, her fastest of the tournament
"I kept hearing my note in my head," Gauff said post-match. "Not ‘might’—‘will.’ That word mattered."
What’s Next: The Gauff Blueprint
With her first clay Slam secured, Gauff’s team is already eyeing Wimbledon. Gilbert’s plan includes:
- Grass-court prep: Two weeks in London training with Tim Henman
- Serve optimization: Targeting 65% first-serve consistency (up from 58% in 2023)
As for the note? "I’ve written a new one," Gauff teased. "But this time, it’s for 2026. Some dreams need deadlines."
In the locker room after her victory, Gauff pinned the original note to her bag—a reminder that champions aren’t born. They’re written into existence, one bold declaration at a time.