‘Patriotic’ Coco Gauff ‘Proud’ to Represent America and Bring ‘Hope and Light’ by Winning French Open
Coco Gauff has reached a career milestone after winning the French Open. Apart from tasting success in the event, her goal was also to give something to the people of her country “who look like” her to smile about.
Gauff went past Aryna Sabalenka in a French Open final where for the first time in over a decade a World No.1 and World No.2 clashed. They battled it out for two hours and 38 minutes in their bid to win their career’s first title in Paris. After her 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 victory, Gauff said she’s patriotic and is proud to represent America.
Being that reflection of hope and light for those people. I remember after the election and everything, it felt like a down period a little bit. My mom told me during Riyadh, try to win the tournament just to give people something to smile for.
Coco Gauff said at the press conference
Gauff won the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh by beating Qinwen Zheng. En route to the win, she also knocked out Sabalenka in the semifinals. Since then, singles titles eluded her until she finally grabbed one in the French Open.
That’s what I was thinking about today. Seeing the flags in the crowd means a lot. Some people may feel some type of way about being patriotic and things like that, but I’m definitely patriotic. I’m proud to be American.
Coco Gauff added
Gauff has now reached three Grand Slam singles finals, winning two. Her first was at the French Open, back in 2022 where she lost to now four-time Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek, whom Sabalenka knocked out in the semifinal, ending her 26-match winning streak in the tournament. It was Sabalenka whom Gauff defeated to clinch the US Open in 2023.
Coco Gauff reveals what she thought Aryna Sabalenka wouldn’t be able to do in the final
When Coco Gauff served for the match, for sure she was dealing with different emotions but she had to play the “poker face“. She was convinced that Aryna Sabalenka wouldn’t be able to out-rally her because of the windy condition on Court Philippe-Chatrier.