With Her French Open Win, Coco Gauff’s Time Is Now

Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

Coco Gauff stood tall—and tearful—on the clay of Roland Garros, French Open trophy in hand. After defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a grueling three-set final, Gauff became a two-time Grand Slam champion at just 21 years old. Her win was more than a personal milestone. It marked the moment Gauff transformed from rising star to defining figure in women’s tennis. Gauff’s journey to this point has been anything but easy. She burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old at Wimbledon in 2019, stunning the world by beating Venus Williams in the first round. That moment sparked "Cocomania," and fans and analysts alike began speculating about her future greatness. But the path to greatness is rarely smooth. While she consistently improved her game and reached the 2022 French Open final, her first major title wouldn't come until the 2023 US Open. Her latest victory in Paris—against a dominant opponent and after losing the first set—shows just how much she has matured. Gauff dropped the first set in a tense tiebreak, but came back strong, winning the next two sets 6-2, 6-4. It was a textbook display of power, speed, strategy, and composure under pressure. “She’s so much more mature than a 21-year-old,” former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki said during the broadcast. Gauff’s career is already marked by historic achievements. She is now the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015. Her 27 match wins at Roland Garros are tied for the most by a woman under 22 in the Open Era. She is also the only woman to win her first two Slam finals after losing the first set in each—an impressive feat that speaks to her resilience.

But perhaps the most remarkable thing about Gauff is her perspective. When asked how she stays calm during high-pressure matches, she responded simply, “Just realizing how minuscule it is… the sun still rose the next day”. Her level-headedness and gratitude for the sport make her not only a champion on the court, but a role model off it. With the grass-court season approaching and another US Open on the horizon, Gauff isn’t just looking back—she’s looking forward. As she told Sloane Stephens after her win, “Hopefully another one… but for now, just enjoying this one.” Whether or not she reaches her childhood goal of being the greatest ever, one thing is certain: Coco Gauff’s time is no longer coming. It’s already here.