Coco Gough came to Paris in pursuit of his lifelong dream. And now, the 21-year-old American carved her status in history. Tear-eyed Gouf postponed the world’s No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-7, 6-2, 6-4 in the French Open Finals with one of her best career performances, leaving her second Grand Slam in a memorable one.
The victory was America’s Cleion Clay’s first major title since Serena Williams in 2015, and it was Goff’s first career victory with five tries against top-ranked players in the majors.
The finale was first No. 1 and second in women’s side Roland Garros since 2013 when Williams defeated Maria Sharapova.
“I want to congratulate Alina, you deserve all the outcomes you have,” Goff said after kissing the trophy and pausing for the national anthem near Centre Court. “I want to thank my team… you remind me that there is more to life than tennis, and I think that’s why I play better on the court. Thanks to the crowd, I’ve given you so much for supporting me so hard.
“I didn’t think I would be honest. I’m going to quote Tyler, the creator. “If I say I have any doubts within myself, I think I’m lying,” I cried to everyone and screamed at Paris. ”
A stoic throughout the match, Goff had enough gas in the tank after the first set marathon, offering Sabalenka with consecutive dominant sets in a thrilling way. Sabalenka, who won three of the previous eight majors with a female single, went to Clay in victory after Gouf scored a back-to-back point and the Valley sailed widely.
It was Goff’s first major final since she won the US Open in 2023.
“Thank you for thanking my parents and for giving them the belief that they can do that,” Goff said. “To the brothers of the house, you are the reason I do this and you inspire me.”
Gouf found her control in the second set after dropping 4-1 at the first point, 4-1 before losing the tiebreak. Sabalenka nodded to the evil state of wind and the mist of light that began to fall midway through the third set as part of the reason for her failure.
Sabalenka committed a forced error of 70 compared to Gauff’s 30.
“This hurts a lot, especially after playing great tennis the past two weeks,” Sabalenka said. “It hurts really to play in the finals in a terrible state, but that’s fine. Coco, you were a better player than me. Well done.”
