Coco Gauff’s Graceful Response To Aryna Sabalenka’s Post-Match French Open Shade

SABALENKA'S SHADE

She was hitting the ball from the frame," Sabalenka emotionally said to reporters. "Somehow, magically, the ball lands in the court. It felt like a joke, honestly, like somebody from above was there laughing, like, 'let's see if you can handle this."  

Sabalenka continued, "I think she won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes."

"I mean, I don't agree with that," Gauff replied as she appeared at her press conference next to the French Open trophy... I'm here sitting here." She added, "No shade to Iga or anything, but last time I played her, I won in straight sets. I don't think that's a fair thing to say because anything can really happen."

Gauff won, period. It's a fact that Sabalenka may not want to embrace, but it happened.

Gauff commented to Stephens, "Before the match, I said, she's a fighter, but you're an even better fighter. How deep did you have to dig in order to pull that out? Really deep. I think especially that last game that I was obviously very nervous, but I would think that was something I'm really proud of, just managing to get another ball back and trying to play with the conditions."

MATCH FACTS

Here are several facts the Belarusian right-hander overlooked in her postgame comments:

• Sabalenka committed 70 unforced errors. Gauff had only 30.  
• Gauff converted 9-of-21 break points, while Sabalenka had 6-of-13 conversions.
• Coco Gauff won 60% of her first serves and 50% of her second serves, compared to Sabalenka, who won just 48% of her first serves and 47% of her second serves.
• Gauff had 119 total points won, compared to Sabalenka winning 100 total points.

In a 2-hour and 38-minute epic game, Gauff shrewdly weathered the swirling winds and drizzle, as Sabalenka melted down as her booming serve began to fail her in the match.

The bottom line is that Gauff deserved to win. At one point in the first set, Sabalenka had a 3-1 advantage, yet Coco fought through her early mistakes to force a tiebreaker, which she eventually lost 6-7(5).

"This is one I really wanted because I do think this was one of the tournaments that when I was younger that I felt I had the best shot of winning," Gauff said.

Coco Gauff is the third black woman to win on the clay courts at the French Championship/French Open, joining the legendary Althea Gibson and Serena Williams. She became a two-time Grand Slam champion in Paris at the ripe old age of 21.

How many more historic victories? "Yeah, definitely another one. But for now, I'm just enjoying this one. And yeah, I'm just glad to get another title to my resume," Gauff concluded.

Additional Coco Gauff Coverage:

Coco Gauff Triumphs Over Aryna Sabalenka To Win Epic 2025 French Open

Coco Gauff earns her place in tennis history as the third black woman, joining Serena Williams and Althea Gibson, and the ninth American to win a French Open Championship. The victory was Gauff's second Grand Slam title at the age of 21.

Gauff struggled early in the first set but rallied to push the world's No. 1 women's tennis player, Aryna Sabalenka, who won it 7-6. However, Coco cruised to a 6-2 victory in the second set and eventually won the championship with a 6-4 score in the third set.

It was the tenth time a women's player has won the French Open after dropping the first set.

Coco Gauff is now the No. 2 women's tennis player on the planet, with Wimbledon and the U.S. Open remaining as potential Grand Slams.

American Women's Champions At Roland-Garros

• Chris Evert: Won seven titles (1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986).
• Billie Jean King: Won one title in 1972.
• Nancy Richey: Won one title in 1968.
• Martina Navratilova: Won two titles (1982, 1984).
• Monica Seles: Won one title in 1990.
• Serena Williams: Won three titles (2002, 2013, 2015).
• Jennifer Capriati: Won one title in 2001.
• Coco Gauff: Won one title in 2025.
• Althea Gibson: French Championships in 1956.

COCO GAUFF READY TO MAKE HISTORY WHILE HONORING HER FAMILY'S HBCU ROOTS

For the first time in 41 years at Roland-Garros, the world's No. 1 and No. 2 players will compete for the French Open men's and women's singles titles. The classic 1984 matches were between McEnroe and Lendl (Men's) and Navratilova and Evert (Women's).

This weekend's men's championship match will feature No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who will face No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz. History awaits as No. 2 Coco Gauff will battle No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka for the chance to hoist the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen Trophy.

HOW GAUFF AND SABALENKA GOT TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

In their semifinal matches, Guaff dominated Lois Boisson in straight sets (6-1, 6-2) to advance to Saturday's championship round. Sabalenka overcame a contentious first set to defeat last year's champion, Swiatek, in three sets (7-6, 4-6, 6-0).

SABALENKA IN 2025 FRENCH OPEN

• 1R: d. Kamilla Rakhimova: 6-1, 6-0
• 2R: d. Jil Teichmann: 6-3, 6-1
• 3R: d. Olga Danilovic: 6-2, 6-3
• 4R: d. [16] Amanda Anisimova: 7-5, 6-3
• QF: d. [8] Zheng Qinwen: 7-6(3), 6-3
• SF: d. [5] Iga Swiatek: 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0

GAUFF IN 2025 FRENCH OPEN

• 1R: d. Olivia Gadecki: 6-2, 6-2
• 2R: d. [Q] Tereza Valentova: 6-2, 6-4
• 3R: d. Marie Bouzkova: 6-1, 7-6(3)
• 4R: d. [20] Ekaterina Alexandrova: 6-0, 7-5
• QF: d. [7] Madison Keys: 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-1
• SF: d. [WC] Lois Boisson: 6-1, 6-2

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Sabalenka and Gauff have squared off ten times in their careers, with the Belarusian tennis player winning 6-2, 7-6(3) in the 2025 Mutua Madrid Open in Madrid, Spain.

The tennis players are even in Grand Slam matches, 1-1. Sabalenka fell to Guaff in 2021 in Rome. Gauff lost to Sabalenka in the 2024 Australian Open semifinal contest.   

However, keep this in mind. Coco Guaff won her first Slam title at the 2023 US Open by beating Sabalenka. Can she break the tie?

Vegas and world betting services have Sabalenka as the slight favorite to earn nearly $3 million in first-place prize money. The runner-up will receive $1.45 million as a consolation.

A victory will result in a 2,000-point rise in their WTA Rankings, which will contribute to the WTA Finals Riyadh race for 2025. Should Guaff win, she will remain the No. 2-ranked player, and Sabalenka will retain her No. 1 ranking.

GAUFF WITH HBCU ROOTS

Gauff's family has roots within the HBCU culture and community. Her great-great-grandfather attended a Historically Black College or University, which motivated her to establish a $100,000 initiative called the Coco Gauff Scholarship Program, managed by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).  

"My family has a deep-rooted history with HBCUs, going all the way back to my great, great grandfather," Coco Gauff stated. "From aunts and uncles to cousins, HBCUs have played a huge role in shaping who we are. Supporting UNCF in creating opportunities for student-athletes in tennis means a lot to me. As a young Black athlete, I understand how impactful it is to see people who look like me thriving in both sports and education. I want to help the next generation of student-athletes continue pursuing their passion for tennis while reaching their academic goals."

She was also the catalyst for the USTA to commit $3,000,000 to refurbish public tennis courts in disadvantaged communities in the U.S. North Carolina Central, an HBCU located in Durham, North Carolina, will receive $21,000 from the initiative.

"We are incredibly grateful to Coco Gauff for her generous $100,000 gift to UNCF, which will significantly impact the lives of HBCU students aspiring to excel in competitive tennis," Maurice E. Jenkins Jr., UNCF's Chief Development Officer, praised Gauff's vision.

PREDICTIONS

Women's: Coco Gauff takes the victory over Sabalenka at the 2025 FRENCH OPEN in an epic three-set thriller!

Men's: Skinner dominates Alvarez in the late sets to win the 2025 FRENCH OPEN.

TENNIS