How Old Is Coco Gauff? The Two-Time Grand Slam Champion Beats Sabalenka at Roland Garros

At just 21 years old, Coco Gauff triumphed in Paris by winning her first Roland Garros title — her second Grand Slam overall — after defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 in a 2-hour and 38-minute final.

A Historic Win in Paris

Three years after playing her first final on the clay of Paris at the age of 18, the Florida native and world No. 2 has now lifted the Suzanne Lenglen Cup to go along with her 2022 US Open title. This win came after taking revenge on Sabalenka, who had beaten her recently in the Madrid Open final. It was her sixth win in eleven encounters with the Belarusian.

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - June 7, 2025 Coco Gauff of the U.S. celebrates after winning the women's singles final against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

The American, who also reached the finals in Madrid and Rome this year, becomes the first American to win Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015 and the youngest since Williams' first title in 2002.

A precocious talent, Gauff has proven her determination and resilience throughout this tournament. In the final, she came back after losing the first set — just as she did in the quarterfinals against fellow American Madison Keys, winner of the Australian Open.

Nothing stopped the Florida-born star, who collapsed on the clay of Philippe Chatrier before unleashing a cry of joy after sealing the victory on her second match point.

Sabalenka, meanwhile, missed out on her fourth Grand Slam title, putting in her worst performance of the fortnight, marred by 70 unforced errors.

Gauff Makes History for American Tennis

The Belarusian started strong, dominating early as Gauff struggled to adjust to the swirling wind. The 4-1 lead made some in the crowd fear a quick final, as had happened in 2022 when Iga Swiatek crushed Gauff in straight sets.

However, as time passed, Gauff adapted better to the conditions while Sabalenka lost control of her game. The match leveled at 4-4 with a flurry of service breaks. The pivotal moment came in the ninth game, a 15-minute battle where Sabalenka squandered two set points and was broken on the fifth opportunity.

In the tiebreak, Gauff surged ahead 3-0, but Sabalenka clawed back and eventually took the first set after 77 minutes of fierce competition.

Still composed, Gauff took control in the second set, jumping ahead 4-1 and tying the match. Sabalenka's powerful forehand lost its edge, allowing Gauff to dictate play.

In the decider, the Belarusian again gave up a break in the fourth game, recovered in the sixth, but was broken again immediately after. From there, Gauff held her nerve and sealed her second Grand Slam title, taking over a throne that had belonged to Swiatek for the past three years.