WATCH: Coco Gauff’s mom Candi steals the spotlight with heartfelt prayer during crucial moment in French Open final

June 8, 2025

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Coco Gauff emerged victorious in the tension-filled women’s singles final at the 2025 French Open on Saturday, June 7. In the nervy moments leading up to the American clinching her maiden title at Roland Garros, cameras captured her mother Candi praying for the WTA No. 2 to win. Shortly after the stirring moment, an emotional Gauff fell to the floor shedding tears of joy, having become a two-time Major champion.

It was reigning World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka who made the stronger start, with the Belarusian coming out on top of a hard-fought first set. However, Gauff squared things up with an emphatic 6-2 second-set win. In the third and decisive set, the American got the opportunity to serve for the championship at 5-4. Sabalenka though, did all she could to keep pace with the 2023 US Open champion.

When Coco Gauff engineered a championship point by securing advantage, her mother Candi began praying wholeheartedly for her daughter to win. Watch the moment below:

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The prayer seemed to work magic, as moments later, Aryna Sabalenka overhit a crosscourt backhand, leading to Coco Gauff becoming the newly-crowned women's singles champion at the French Open.

Later, Gauff began her title-winning speech by once again showing the deeply religious and spiritual side to herself.

Coco Gauff turned tearful during French Open winner's speech; expressed gratitude towards God

It has become somewhat of a custom in tennis for champions to begin their post-victory speeches by congratulating their opponents. However, whenever Coco Gauff tends to win a title, her first words almost always stem from her faith in God, and this happened yet again at the 2025 French Open.

Gauff began her winner's speech by thanking God and tearfully recalling her Roland Garros final heartbreak from 2022.

"First I’d like to thank God… I was going through a lot of things when I lost this final 3 years ago. I’m just happy to be here," she said.

The 21-year-old went on to send a heartwarming message to Sabalenka, saying:

"I’d like to congratulate Aryna. You’re a fighter. You’re the No. 1 player in the world. I know today was a tough match, but you deserve all the results you’ve been having. Every time we play, it’s such a tough match for me. Congratulations. Hopefully we play many more."

The success in Paris marks Gauff's 10th career singles title and her first of this year. The American will now look to carry forward her excellent momentum from the clay season to the grasscourt swing.

About the author

Sudipto is a Tennis journalist at Sportskeeda holding a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. He has an experience of 3+ years across the market research, travel, health, lifestyle and sports sectors.

Sudipto has followed Tennis since the early 2000s and stays up-to-date with the sport by following both active and former Tennis players, and seasoned journalists. He also follows ATP and WTA updates, watches documentaries and interviews of professionals, and only reads esteemed publications. He sources all information for his articles only from credible publications stays away from unsubstantiated claims. In just a matter of 3 months, he has gained a readership of almost 2 million at Sportskeeda!

Sudipto admires Rafael Nadal for his fiercely competitive on-court nature and his ability to make memorable comebacks after injury layoffs. The Spaniard may be the GOAT for him, but he also respects the accomplishments of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

Beyond Tennis, Sudipto also has an interest in music, football, and video games alongside cooking and traveling.

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