As the 2025 French Open reaches its thrilling climax, all eyes are on the eagerly anticipated final showdown between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka. The stage is set at Roland Garros, where Sabalenka aims to capture her first Suzanne-Lenglen Cup, while Gauff seeks to become the first American singles champion at the French Open in a decade.
Aryna Sabalenka's journey to the final has been nothing short of spectacular. The WTA number one entered the tournament in dominant form, advancing to the semi-finals without dropping a single set. There, she faced her fiercest rival, three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek. In a tense and hard-fought battle, Sabalenka triumphed in three sets, 7-6, 4-6, 6-0, showcasing remarkable resilience and precision. After dropping the second set 4-6, Sabalenka elevated her game in the third set, winning 6-0 without committing a single unforced error. This performance cemented her status as arguably the best player on the planet this year.
Paul Annacone, former coach of Roger Federer, praised Sabalenka's display during the semi-final on the Tennis Channel Live podcast. "It showed me and everybody that Sabalenka is the best player in the world so far this year," Annacone said. "She has just been better than everyone, and to see her rebound after that second set, which very easily could have taken her a little bit of time to get going, was amazing. Zero unforced errors, power-play, hit right through the clay court surface. I think she is the best player on the planet this year."
On the other side of the net, Coco Gauff has been equally impressive. The 21-year-old American advanced to the final by defeating French wildcard Loïs Boisson in the semi-finals. Gauff, known for her tenacity and defensive skills, has been preparing for the challenge ahead. In an exchange with TNT Sports analyst Sloane Stephens, Gauff candidly acknowledged the threat posed by Sabalenka. "I’m ready for Aryna Sabalenka to be super aggressive," Gauff said during the broadcast on June 5, 2025. This statement highlights her awareness of Sabalenka's playing style and her own readiness to counter it.
Adding to the intrigue, Paul Annacone predicted that Gauff's defensive prowess could be the key to victory in the final scheduled for Saturday, June 7, 2025. "Before the tournament started, I did say Coco Gauff was going to win, I think," Annacone remarked. "I still think Coco is going to make her play. I think Coco is going to win on Saturday. I think her defence will make [Aryna] Sabalenka overplay. It’s really going to test her composure and patience." This insight sets the stage for a classic clash of styles: Sabalenka’s power and aggression versus Gauff’s resilience and tactical defense.
The rivalry between Sabalenka and Gauff has been balanced and intense. Their head-to-head record stands evenly at 5-5 across ten career meetings, underscoring the unpredictability of the upcoming final. Their previous encounters span various tournaments and surfaces, including Sabalenka’s 6-3, 7-6 victory at the 2025 Madrid Open final and Gauff’s 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 win at the 2023 US Open final. This deadlock adds an extra layer of excitement, as fans and analysts alike speculate on who will emerge victorious at Roland Garros.
Gauff's quest to become the first American singles champion at the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015 adds historical significance to the final. Williams, a legend of the sport, won her third Roland Garros title that year by defeating Lucie Safarova in a grueling three-set match. Since then, American players have reached four finals but failed to clinch the title, with Gauff herself being the last to contest a final in 2022, losing decisively to Iga Swiatek.
While the tennis action captivates fans, the 2025 French Open has also been marked by off-court drama, particularly within the TNT Sports commentary booth. A tense exchange between analysts CoCo Vandeweghe and Sloane Stephens during the broadcast of Gauff’s semi-final match against Loïs Boisson sparked widespread reaction on social media. The disagreement unfolded live, with Vandeweghe aggressively interrupting Stephens mid-sentence as she offered a measured perspective on Gauff’s handling of crowd pressure.
Stephens had calmly noted, "She’s had that experience… she’s got to stay calm, no gasoline to the fire, and just play." Vandeweghe cut in sharply, saying, "I don’t care how much experience you have. If you have the amount of crowd, the amount of voice, the amount of volume…" before taking over the conversation. Viewers observed that Stephens appeared uncomfortable, even physically recoiling during the interaction. Clips of the moment quickly circulated on social media platform Threads, igniting criticism of Vandeweghe’s commentary style and demeanor.
Fans accused Vandeweghe of centering herself excessively in the commentary and exhibiting signs of jealousy toward players like Gauff, who have achieved more significant singles success. Comments ranged from calling her "insufferable" to questioning how she secured the broadcasting role. Conversely, Stephens received praise for her restraint and potential as a broadcaster, with supporters highlighting her quieter, less self-centered approach compared to Vandeweghe.
This off-court tension contrasts with the on-court professionalism and focus displayed by the finalists, illustrating the multifaceted nature of the tournament experience. As the final approaches, the spotlight firmly returns to the match itself, which promises to be a compelling contest of skill, strategy, and mental fortitude.
Saturday’s final at Court Philippe Chatrier will not only decide the 2025 French Open champion but could also signal a defining moment in women’s tennis. Whether Sabalenka can continue her dominant form and claim her first Roland Garros title or Gauff can harness her defensive strengths to make history for American tennis remains an open question. With both players evenly matched and motivated, spectators can expect a high-quality, edge-of-the-seat encounter.
As the countdown to the final continues, tennis fans worldwide are gearing up for what could be one of the most memorable matches of the season. The blend of athleticism, rivalry, and narrative drama ensures that the 2025 French Open final will be a must-watch event, showcasing the very best of the sport.
