‘Patriotic’ Coco Gauff ‘Proud’ to Represent America and Bring ‘Hope and Light’ by Winning French Open

Coco Gauff reveals another reason why she wanted so much to win the French Open by beating Aryna Sabalenka.

‘Patriotic’ Coco Gauff ‘Proud’ to Represent America and Bring ‘Hope and Light’ by Winning French Open

Coco Gauff (Image via X/Lindsey Wasson)

Coco Gauff has reached a career milestone after winning the French Open. Apart from tasting success in the event, her goal was also to give something to the people of her country “who look like” her to smile about.

Gauff went past Aryna Sabalenka in a French Open final where for the first time in over a decade a World No.1 and World No.2 clashed. They battled it out for two hours and 38 minutes in their bid to win their career’s first title in Paris. After her 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 victory, Gauff said she’s patriotic and is proud to represent America.

Being that reflection of hope and light for those people. I remember after the election and everything, it felt like a down period a little bit. My mom told me during Riyadh, try to win the tournament just to give people something to smile for.

Coco Gauff said at the press conference

Gauff won the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh by beating Qinwen Zheng. En route to the win, she also knocked out Sabalenka in the semifinals. Since then, singles titles eluded her until she finally grabbed one in the French Open.

That’s what I was thinking about today. Seeing the flags in the crowd means a lot. Some people may feel some type of way about being patriotic and things like that, but I’m definitely patriotic. I’m proud to be American.

Coco Gauff added

Gauff has now reached three Grand Slam singles finals, winning two. Her first was at the French Open, back in 2022 where she lost to now four-time Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek, whom Sabalenka knocked out in the semifinal, ending her 26-match winning streak in the tournament. It was Sabalenka whom Gauff defeated to clinch the US Open in 2023.

Coco Gauff reveals what she thought Aryna Sabalenka wouldn’t be able to do in the final

When Coco Gauff served for the match, for sure she was dealing with different emotions but she had to play the “poker face“. She was convinced that Aryna Sabalenka wouldn’t be able to out-rally her because of the windy condition on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

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

Yeah, I was like I’m not going to miss just because of the fact that I knew that if we were playing a real rally I knew she would not be able to out-rally me and then also with the wind conditions and how windy it was I knew it would be hard for her to hit winners.

Coco Gauff told Tennis Channel

Gauff has now become the first American woman to clinch the Major in Paris after Serena Williams in 2015. While for Gauff, the French Open was her first title this season, Sabalenka was bidding to win her fourth this season, following her victories in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid.

In Madrid, Gauff was her opponent. Gauff later made it to the Italian Open final but this time, it was Jasmine Paolini who denied the now two-time Major singles champion her second title on clay.

Sabalenka has now lost both the Major finals she played this season as before Paris, she lost to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final. The Belarusian is 3-3 in the Grand Slam finals. Next, she and Gauff will be preparing for the grass swing.

They have never clinched a grass-court title in their careers. At Wimbledon, Sabalenka was the finalist in 2021 and 2023. Last year, she skipped the grass-court Major because of an injury. Gauff, on the other hand, hasn’t yet progressed beyond the fourth round. She made it to the last 16 in 2019, 2021, and 2024.

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