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Coco Gauff became the first American in a decade to raise the trophy after the final of women’s singles in Roland-Garros and he was asked what it means to represent the United States.
After defeating the world n ° 1 Aryna Sabalenka in three sets to win the French Open, Gauff was invited to go through the world as a American.
“It means a lot. Obviously, a lot of things happens in our country right now,” replied Gauff, via the tennis letter. “Just to be a representation of this and a representation of people who resemble me in America, who may not feel so supported during this period. Being this reflection of hope and light for these people.”
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Coco Gauff poses with the Trophy after winning the women’s final final against Aryna Sabalenka at the Roland Garros stadium. (Images Susan Mullane-Imagn)
Gauff continued by evoking the presidential election last year, and the country’s response after President Donald Trump was elected for his second term. She described it as a “period of decline” in the United States.
“I remember after the elections and everything was a bit like a period of decline. My mother said to me during Riyadh, trying to win the tournament just to give people something to smile. This is what I thought today,” said Gauff.
Despite the commentary on the “decrease period”, Gauff said that it was “definitively patriotic”.
Barack and Michelle Obama among those who shower Coco Gauff with praise after French open victory
“Some people may feel a kind of being patriotic and things like that, but I am definitely patriotic. I am proud to be American. I am proud to represent Americans who look like me and people who support the things I support,” added Gauff.
Coco Gauff plays a setback against Aryna Sabalenka during the French Open on June 7, 2025 in Paris. (Adam Pretty / Getty Images)
The 21-year-old fell on the clay and covered his face to Roland-Garros after an exciting match against Sabalenka. Gauff lost the first set in an equality break, but retaliated to win the second set, 6-2, and left with his second Grand Chelem after a third set 6-4.
The last American to win the French Open? Serena Williams raised the trophy in 2015.
“The crowd really helped me today,” said Gauff after the match, when celebrities like Spike Lee, Dustin Hoffman and many others encouraged him throughout the match. “You encouraged yourself so hard for me, and I don’t know what I did to deserve so much love of the French crowd. But I appreciate the guys.”
“The crowd really helped me today,” said Coco Gauff after defeating Aryna Sabalenka. (Images Susan Mullane-Imagn)
Gauff was also coupled with praise by American celebrities, including Barack and Michelle Obama, Matthew McConaughey and more.
