The 2025 French Open women’s final will be remembered not just for Coco Gauff’s resilience and triumph, but for Aryna Sabalenka’s emotional collapse in what she described as “the worst final I ever played.” In a match that had everything—momentum swings, windy conditions, and gut-wrenching emotion—Gauff emerged victorious 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 to lift her second Grand Slam title.
A Strong Start, a Sudden Fall
Sabalenka, the world number one, came into the final with fire. After stunning three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, she looked poised to finally claim her first Grand Slam title on clay. And early in the match, it appeared she might do just that. Sabalenka stormed to a 4-1 lead in the first set and even held a 40-0 advantage while serving.
But the storm brewing over Court Philippe Chatrier wasn’t just in the sky—it was within Sabalenka. Unforced errors began to pile up, the wind disrupted her rhythm, and her mental composure started to crack. Gauff, calm and composed, took full advantage. The American clawed her way back into the set and ultimately lost it in a tiebreak—but from that point on, she never looked back.
70 Unforced Errors: A Record Sabalenka Didn’t Want
Sabalenka’s powerful game was nowhere to be found in sets two and three. She hit 70 unforced errors—the highest number recorded in any women’s singles main-draw match at Roland Garros this year. Her serve, usually her biggest weapon, faltered. Her groundstrokes, typically explosive, sailed long or fell into the net.
More than once, Sabalenka threw her hands in frustration, visibly shaken by the conditions and her inability to find solutions. After the match, during her on-court interview, the 27-year-old broke down in tears.
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“It was honestly the worst tennis I’ve played in I don’t know how many months,” she admitted. “I think she won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes… It felt like a joke, honestly, like somebody from above was just there laughing saying, ‘Let’s see if you can handle this.’”
It was a raw, painful moment from a champion who usually hides emotion behind intensity. But this time, Sabalenka couldn’t contain it.
A Growing Rivalry: Gauff Has the Edge
This is not the first time Gauff has toppled Sabalenka on a Grand Slam stage. The American also defeated her in the 2023 US Open final, coming back from a set down in that match too. With two major final wins over the current world number one, Gauff has made a statement—she’s not just a rising star; she’s a Grand Slam problem for Sabalenka.
What made Gauff’s performance in Paris all the more impressive was her discipline and mental strength. While Sabalenka unraveled, Gauff stayed steady, never forcing the issue but capitalizing on every error. She showed maturity beyond her years, especially in the blustery conditions that threw Sabalenka off balance.
The Bigger Picture for Sabalenka
Despite the heartbreak, Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been nothing short of dominant. She has reached seven finals and won three titles, holding a 40-7 match record—leading the WTA Tour. But those two painful losses on the biggest stages—the Australian Open to Madison Keys and now the French Open to Gauff—are glaring holes in an otherwise stellar year.
What’s most concerning for Sabalenka is the pattern. In both finals, she started well but couldn’t maintain her level. The pressure, the stakes, the mental battle—those are the areas she’ll need to address before Wimbledon.
And her immediate plans? A break. “I already have a flight booked to Mykonos,” she said. “I just need a couple of days to completely forget about this crazy world.”
What’s Next?
With Wimbledon just weeks away, the pressure will mount again. Grass courts are expected to suit Sabalenka’s game much better—higher bounce, faster pace, more reward for big hitting. Experts, including former British number one Greg Rusedski, still see her as a top contender.
But unless she can control her emotions and improve her decision-making in critical moments, Grand Slam glory will continue to elude her.
Coco Gauff deserves every bit of credit for staying calm, playing smart, and lifting the 2025 French Open trophy. But this final will also be remembered for Aryna Sabalenka’s vulnerability—a brutally honest look at the mental side of elite sports. It was not just a tennis match; it was a psychological war. And while Gauff walked away with the win, Sabalenka left Paris with lessons that may define the next phase of her career.
Stay tuned for more in-depth coverage of Wimbledon, Grand Slam drama, and everything that makes tennis more than just a game—right here on Beyond Fiction.
