Young sensation Coco Gauff made history at the 2025 Roland Garros, and the world is taking notice, including former U.S. President Barack Obama.
For the uninitiated, Coco Gauff became the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams triumphed in 2015. That’s not all, with this victory, she also became the youngest American to do so since Serena in 2002.
Following her win over World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final, Gauff received praise from across the tennis world and beyond. From Carlos Alcaraz to Aryna Sabalenka, the tennis world took a bow.
However, among the most prominent voices was Barack Obama, who posted his congratulations on social media. He wrote, “Congratulations to Coco Gauff for an amazing championship at the French Open — the first American singles champion at Roland Garros in a decade. You make us all proud.”
Gauff’s journey to this title has been one of steady growth and pure determination. As per the French Open champion, winning this particular Grand Slam title was a dream of hers.
“This was one of the tournaments when I was younger, I felt I had the best shot of winning,” Gauff further added. “I felt like if I went through my career and didn’t get one, I’d feel regret. Playing Aryna, I was like — I just gotta go for it.”
Additionally, after lifting the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen trophy, Gauff got candid about the doubts she faced and how she overcame them.
“I didn’t think, honestly, that I could do it,” she admitted. “But I’m gonna quote Tyler, the Creator right here. He said, ‘If I ever told you I had a doubt inside me, I must be lying.’ I’d like to leave that with you guys. I think I was lying to myself, and I definitely could do it. Shout out to Tyler.”
At just 20 years old, Gauff has now added a clay-court major to her U.S. Open title to take her Grand Slam victory tally to 2. With that being said, there is no denying that her historic win in Paris is not only a personal triumph but also a torch-passing moment from Serena Williams to Gauff.