Coco Gauff’s French Open win comes with a surprisingly tiny trophy, here’s why

Monday, 09 June 2025 at 16:15

French Open champion Coco Gauff is bringing grand slam silverware home from Roland Garros, but the trophy she keeps is not the same one she lifted on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Saturday.

At just 21 years old, Gauff secured her second Grand Slam title after battling back in a dramatic three-set final against World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Despite tough conditions, Gauff mastered her game to win her first Roland Garros trophy with a score of 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4.

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Her victory marked a powerful comeback from three years ago, when she was defeated 6-1, 6-3 by Iga Swiatek in the 2022 French Open final, a loss that left the then 18-year-old Gauff in tears during the trophy ceremony.

This time, Gauff’s grit paid off as she finally lifted the coveted Coupe Suzanne Lenglen, shining with pride as the American national anthem echoed through the Paris stadium.

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However, her moment with the actual trophy was short-lived. On her flight home, Gauff revealed that the full-sized trophy never leaves the French capital. Instead, she was handed a "mini replica" to keep, a trophy so small she demonstrated it was barely bigger than a French water bottle.

Sharing the tiny prize on TikTok from a private jet, Gauff chuckled and said, "It’s the memories that matter the most.".

She explained that the full-sized Coupe Suzanne Lenglen remains with the tournament, which is why champions receive these smaller keepsakes.

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This modest souvenir doesn’t take away from the grandeur of Gauff’s achievement. The World No. 2 battled through the final with incredible determination, outlasting Sabalenka in a grueling match that showcased her tactical brilliance and mental toughness.

Gauff’s victory sparked widespread praise, including from former US President Barack Obama, who tweeted:

"Congratulations to @CocoGauff for an amazing championship at the French Open — the first American singles champion at @RolandGarros in a decade. You make us all proud.".

Her win also capped off a spectacular weekend of tennis at the French Open. The women’s final set the stage for an epic men’s showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, which lasted five hours and 29 minutes; the second-longest grand slam final ever played and an instant classic.

Coco’s journey from heartbreak in 2022 to triumph in 2025 highlights her growth as a fierce competitor and a rising star in tennis. Though her trophy may be small in size, the achievement is nothing short of monumental.

Sean Killen

Sean Killen is a contributing journalist for both DartsNews.com and Tennisuptodate.com, where he balances his university studies with writing news updates, player features, and match reports across both sports.

Before joining the sites, Sean built experience across student and professional media. He serves as TV News Director for Cardiff University TV (CUTV), has reported for Gair Rhydd and The Cardiff Times, and produced viral news coverage that gained international attention. His reporting spans sports, breaking news, and human-interest features, and he’s worked across platforms including print, online, radio, and video.

Sean has followed the ATP and WTA tennis tours closely for years, with a growing interest in darts through the Premier League and World Championship circuits. He brings a sharp eye for storytelling, a commitment to accuracy, and a passion for making niche sports accessible to wider audiences.

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