BLACK BEAUTY: Coco Gauff raises the bar at French Open

Coco Gauff is the toast of tennis fans after her adrenaline-felted three-set win over top seed Aryna Sabalenka to clinch the French Open title. This is the Black American’s second Grand Slam title, the previous one coming at the US Open in New York in 2023. For those who believe in comparisons and contrasts, Coco is the flavour. Her win has won her applause from a massive audience, which includes former President of the United States of America, Barrack Obama.

The fortnight-long extravaganza in Paris on brick-red clay had its share of ups and downs. If Iga Swiatek, seemingly invincible on clay, lost the semi-finals to Aryna Sabalenka, then what Coco produced against Aryna was top-class stuff. For all those who watched the 21-year from Florida in full flow, her mental approach and ability to handle pressure stood out.

Before the final, Coco had been scribbling on a piece of paper she was going to win the title this time. What kind of preparation this was, none know, till she revealed a piece of paper, later, where she had scribbled her thoughts and her desire. It has been a long time coming, the rise of Coco Gauff. When she won her first Major in raucous New York, conditions were ideal. Competing in her own  country in a night match with the crowd behind her, she was able to produce the strokes and go for bloke in 2023.

From September 2023 to June 2025, it has been a long wait for a second Grand Slam title. But she has been patient against an opponent who collapsed into so many errors, that it was record-breaking. The WTA website, which is considered as a Bible for women’s tennis followers showed Aryna had rifled in 70 unforced errors in the final. This was a crazy record, something which reduced her to tears. Of course, Aryna was uncharitable as well in her comments, blaming the windy conditions. Coco did not. She played her best tennis and to win on clay is a big deal.

 For those who make comparisons with divas of tennis, Coco and Serena share a link. Serena was watching the final, and for her to see another American seal the deal, exactly after a decade, must have been satisfying. There will be more comparisons, but given the pride which Black American athletes have when they compete for the USA, Coco is now a strong brand. Rewind to the WTA Finals held in Saudi Arabia held at the end of 2024. Coco made sure of a few things before going there and pocketed the rich prize money. Not many would know, when Coco started playing tennis, her role models were Serena and elder sister Venus Williams.

For Coco to produce similar efforts at the Grand Slams is good, but two Grand Slam titles does not make her a Serena. Serena was there for years and her game was strong, robust, almost destructive, as she won 23 Grand Slam titles. For Coco to get there, it is like hard to imagine. Women’s tennis has been dominated by Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina and a few more. But the big difference is, Coco has been performing quietly. Her game appears compact, but where she caught the eye in the French Open final was her slick court coverage, amazing retrievals, serving with panache and holding herself together.

Conditions were hard, windy, and controlling the serve, getting in place and belting winners, it was not easy. Yes, Aryna Sabalenka, who had been dancing through the fortnight after each win, was left heart broken and teary eyed. She said she needs a break, consume some sugary stuff as well as tequila!

As for Coco, she has shown fresh dimensions in her game. Can she build on this intensity and go full throttle at The Championships in Wimbledon and the US Open, remains to be seen. For sure, Coco has potential and the mindset. Advantage Coco.