Coco Gauff’s journey to victory at the French Open was fueled by a bit of self-motivation that helped the 21-year-old American claim a much-desired trophy and her second major title. On Saturday, Gauff defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4, adding to her U.S. Open win from two years ago.
Sabalenka entered the final as the favorite, having been in better form, which pushed Gauff to seek extra inspiration. She took a page from Olympic 200-meter champion Gabby Thomas, who had been writing “I will be the Olympic champion” repeatedly in her Notes app before winning gold. Gauff adopted a similar tactic, writing “I will be French Open champion 2025” several times on a piece of paper late Friday night.
“I wrote it like eight times,” Gauff said. “Gabby wrote ‘I will be the Olympic champion,’ and she won. It’s a great mindset.”
But Gauff’s self-persuasion didn’t stop there. Before going to bed, she looked in the mirror and convinced herself she was about to become the French Open champion. “I was trying to instill that belief,” she shared, adding with a laugh, “When you’re desperate, you try anything.”
She also shared an Instagram post showing a message she wrote to herself four years ago, beginning with, “I had a dream last night that I will win the French Open.” Now, that dream is a reality.
The match itself was a test of mental strength, lasting 2 hours and 38 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier amid swirling winds caused by the open roof. While Sabalenka visibly struggled, shouting and scolding herself, Gauff maintained a quiet, focused composure.
Gauff explained that she vents her emotions before matches, which helps her stay calm during play. “I know how important it is to let out those emotions so I can be calm on the court,” she said. “I’m cool-headed in matches but can get pretty upset during practice.”
Looking ahead, Gauff will move on to the grass-court season, possibly competing in Berlin before heading to Wimbledon starting May 30. She also plans to enjoy one of her favorite pastimes in London—trying to escape from Escape Rooms. “I love it,” she said. “I’m definitely going to do it.”
As for Sabalenka, instead of dwelling on the loss, she’s chosen to unwind in Greece. “I already booked a flight to Mykonos for some alcohol, sugar, and relaxation,” she said. “I just need a couple of days to forget about this crazy world—tequila, gummy bears, swimming, and being a tourist.”
Gauff’s win marks a milestone in her career, driven not just by skill but by determination and belief in herself.
