Newly crowned Roland Garros champion Coco Gauff, the first Black American to win the title since Serena Williams in 2015, said her victory in Paris was for all those in her homeland who are like her and struggling amid political tensions in the US.

Gauff fought back to win after a 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 comeback against world number one Aryna Sabalenka to win her first title in Paris and her second Grand Slam after the 2023 US Open, when she again stopped the Belarusian.

"This title means a lot to me. I didn't expect to win it. Obviously, there's a lot going on in our country right now. I'm sure you know what I mean. But to have the opportunity to represent people who are like me in the United States who probably don't feel supported enough during this time. To be that hope and light for those people", Gauff said, indirectly speaking about the political tensions in the country after the election of Donald Trump as president.

Meanwhile, Sabalenka was understandably disappointed after being defeated for the second straight time in a Grand Slam tournament after the Australian Open, where she lost to Madison Keys. "It hurts so much, especially after such a tough two weeks when I played great tennis in such terrible conditions. To show that poor tennis in the final definitely hurts", said the world number one, who finished with an incredible 70 unforced errors. | BGNES