Coco Gauff hits back at Aryna Sabalenka on her Iga Swiatek Statement After Roland Garros Triumph

Aryna Sabalenka believes Iga Swiatek would have got the better of Coco Gauff if she had reached the Roland Garros final.

Coco Gauff hits back at Aryna Sabalenka on her Iga Swiatek Statement After Roland Garros Triumph

Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek (via X/WTA/Miami Open)

Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka may have battled for hours to create one of the most historic Grand Slam finals in recent WTA history. However, their counter punches didn’t stop after the match was over.

Sabalanka caught attention of the media by claiming that Iga Swiatek would have beaten the current World No.2 if she had made the final. However, Gauff has now given a fully-fledged reply to the World No.1, claiming that either of these matches would have been tough. At the post-match presser, Gauff said:

I disagree. Here I am! The last time I played against her, without discrediting Iga, I won in straight sets. I don’t think it’s fair to say that because anything can happen…

Sabalenka has now lost consecutive Grand Slam finals to American ladies. The Belarusian lost her Australian Open crown to Madison Keys earlier this year. Now, the American curse seemed to have struck once again as she lost to Gauff in three sets. She went on to add:

Regardless of who I played against, I had high hopes of winning and had that conviction. If someone had asked me who I wanted to play against, I would have preferred to face Iga because Aryna played very well, but Iga is also a tough opponent. Neither of them would have been a better opponent, but things happened as they did, and that’s why I’m here today.

Sabalenka and Gauff had recently played in the Madrid Open final, where the World No.1 triumphed in straight sets. However, it was the American’s night on the big Grand Slam stage.

How many points did Coco Gauff win?

Alongside the trophy, Gauff received a major boost in both ranking points and prize money. Grand Slam champions are awarded 2,000 ranking points, but totals also depend on previous year’s performance. Since Gauff had reached the semifinals last year, she gained 1,220 points, raising her total to 8,083 and securing her position as world No. 2.

Coco Gauff (via X/The Tennis Letter)
Coco Gauff (via X/The Tennis Letter)

Despite the loss, Sabalenka also made gains. She had exited in the quarter-finals the previous year, so her finals appearance this year added 870 net points. She now holds 11,553 points, maintaining her place as the WTA’s top-ranked player.

Both finalists were guaranteed to hold on to their No. 1 and No. 2 rankings regardless of the final result. Their performances in Paris confirmed their dominance on the WTA Tour and ensured momentum heading into the summer season.

Coco Gauff joins Serena Williams in a historic milestone

World No.2 Coco Gauff has brought an end to a decade-long wait for an American woman to win the French Open singles title. She defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final to claim her second career Grand Slam trophy. American players have had limited success on clay over the years, but Gauff now joins a select group of U.S. women who have lifted the Roland Garros trophy.

Coco Gauff Roland Garros
Coco Gauff was emotional after her win (images via Roland Garros)

Nancy Richey was the first in the Open Era to do so, winning the 1968 title after defeating top players Billie Jean King and Ann Jones. Billie Jean King herself won the French Open in 1972, completing her Career Grand Slam. She claimed the title by beating reigning champion Evonne Goolagong in the final.

Chris Evert remains the most decorated American woman at the French Open, winning the event seven times between 1974 and 1986. Martina Navratilova, though originally from Czechoslovakia, won two Roland Garros titles while representing the United States, including a final victory over Evert in 1984.

Jennifer Capriati triumphed in 2001, and Serena Williams followed with three titles—her victories coming in 2002, 2013, and 2015. Gauff now adds her name to this elite list, completing a remarkable run in 2025 by overcoming Lois Boisson in the semis and then staging a comeback against Sabalenka in the final.

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