The French Open has always been special to Coco Gauff.

Gauff, who entered this year’s tournament trying to win her second Grand Slam, almost won it all at Roland Garros when she was just 18-years-old.

The French Open has always been special to Coco GauffCredit: GETTY.

Gauff wowed Paris tennis fans with her power and precision on the clay courts in 2022.

She ended up just two sets away from becoming a French Open champion.

“This is the first time for me, so let’s try to get through this,” an emotional Gauff said in the aftermath.

As she spoke, the young American was overwhelmed by the power of the moment.

With fans standing and applauding inside the venue, Gauff paid tribute to French Open winner Iga Swiatek and joked that she hoped to one day end as a winner when playing the game’s No. 1 clay-court player.

“What you’ve done on tour the past couple months have truly been amazing and you totally deserve it,” Gauff told Poland’s superstar. “Hopefully we can play each other in more finals.”

As Gauff referenced her supporters, tears began to flow.

Gauff turned her head and wiped her eyes while holding a microphone, then publicly praised all those who helped her reach the finals at 18.

She got tearful giving her post-game speech

Gauff broke down momentarily on stage

“I’d like to thank my team,” Gauff said. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get this done today.”

The Roland Garros crowd clearly appreciated Gauff’s honesty and sincerity.

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“Thank you guys for always supporting me,” the American said. “Hopefully this is the first final of many.

I really appreciate you guys lot. You guys helped me so much throughout this year.”

Gauff beat Rebecca Marino, Alison Van Uytvanck, Kaia Kanepi, Elise Mertens, Sloane Stephens and Martina Trevisan on the way to the final in 2022.

Gauff won over the crowd and connected with a new legion of fans during her final comments.

Wiping away tears again, the young star thanked the crowd that tried to help her at the French Open against the then-No. 1 seed.

“Most importantly, thank you you guys,” Gauff said.

“You guys supported me even when I was down — even when I was down match points.

“You were cheering me on and that means a lot. So truly thank you.”

The 18-year-old American stunned the French Open with a magical runCredit: Getty

But she got emotional in the final after a painful lossCredit: AFP via Getty

Then Gauff reminded the world that she was an 18-year-old on one of the biggest tennis stages in the world.

“I don’t know where to go,” said Gauff, before she gave back the mic.

The young American did get her hands on a Grand Slam eventually, with her success coming on home soil at the 2023 US Open.

She beat No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka in the final to claim her first major title.

To those who have followed her career it was perhaps unsurprising.

Gauff turned pro at the age of 14 and, among other, had Mike Tyson predicting big things for her before she wowed Roland Garros.

After growing up admiring Serena Williams, Gauff has become the new face of American tennis.

Often said to be the new era’s Venus and Serena Williams – her idols as a rising star – she even beat five-time Wimbledon champion Venus when she was just 15 in a 2019 third round match at the All-England club.

In playing in SW17, she became the youngest player in Wimbledon’s history to qualify for the main draw.

The 21-year-old is now a much more formidable opponentCredit: GETTY

It came in her semi-final defeat to Swiatek.

This year, Gauff is seeded second at the 2025 French Open.

The 2023 US Open champion will now Lois Boisson in the final four after the French home favorite clinched a remarkable straight sets victory over Mirra Andreeva.