17-Year-Old Coco Gauff Claims First French Open Title

Cori "Coco" Gauff is an American professional tennis player born on March 13, 2004, in Atlanta, Georgia. She rose to international prominence as a teenage prodigy, notably defeating Venus Williams at Wimbledon in 2019 when she was just 15 years old, a match that drew widespread attention for its symbolic passing of the torch[1]. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, Gauff is known for her powerful serve and poise under pressure, often compared to past tennis prodigies such as Tracy Austin and Jennifer Capriati[1]. Gauff turned professional in 2018 and has since built a successful career marked by rapid progression. She won her first Grand Slam singles title at the 2023 US Open, becoming only the third American teenager to win the tournament's women's singles crown[1][2]. In addition to her Grand Slam success, she has won multiple WTA titles, including prestigious events such as the Cincinnati Masters and the Washington DC Open in 2023, and achieved a career-high WTA ranking of No. 2 in June 2024[2][3]. Her 2024 season was particularly notable, capturing titles in Auckland, Beijing, and the WTA Finals in Riyadh, where she defeated the world No. 1 and No. 2 players, earning a record $4.8 million in prize money—the highest ever awarded in women's professional sports[2]. Gauff is also a top-ranked doubles player, having shared the No. 1 doubles ranking with Jessica Pegula after the 2023 US Open[2]. As of 2025, Gauff continues to compete at the highest levels, with multiple singles and doubles titles and a strong winning record. She is recognized both for her on-court achievements and her role as a young ambassador for tennis[3][5][7].

Aryna Sabalenka is a Belarusian professional tennis player, born on May 5, 1998, in Minsk, Belarus[1][2][6]. She is currently recognized as one of the most dominant figures in women’s tennis, having reached the pinnacle of the sport as the WTA World No. 1 and securing her place among the elite players of her generation[1][3][5]. Sabalenka’s tennis journey began at age six, and she started formal training at a local academy by eight, quickly rising through the junior ranks before turning professional in 2015[6][7]. Known for her aggressive baseline play, powerful serve, and relentless competitive spirit, she has become famous for overpowering opponents with her groundstrokes and mental toughness[1][6]. Sabalenka stands 6 feet tall and plays right-handed[4]. Her breakthrough on the WTA Tour came with a rapid ascent in the early 2020s. She first reached the world No. 1 ranking in singles in 2023, a year in which she also won her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, defeating Elena Rybakina in the final[1][3]. She followed this with another Australian Open victory in 2024 and claimed her third major at the US Open in 2024, then successfully defended that title in 2025 for her fourth Grand Slam triumph[1][5]. In addition to her Grand Slam successes, Sabalenka has won multiple WTA 1000 titles, including Madrid, Miami, and Cincinnati, and has consistently reached the latter stages of major tournaments[2][3][5]. As of late 2025, Sabalenka remains a fixture at the top of the women’s game, having held the year-end No. 1 ranking for the first time in her career[3][5]. Her 2025 season has been particularly strong, with four titles, including two WTA 1000 events and a successful US Open defense, further cementing her status as a leading force in tennis[5]. Off the court, Sabalenka is known for her engaging personality and has become a prominent ambassador for the sport. Sabalenka’s rivalry with players like Iga Świątek and Coco Gauff has been a highlight of recent WTA seasons, contributing to some of the most competitive and high-profile matches in women’s tennis[1]. Her consistency at the highest level, combined with her explosive playing style, ensures she remains a central figure in the sport’s current landscape.