“Coco Gauff steals your space, then your time” – Andrea Petkovic explains how American made Aryna Sabalenka ‘panic’ in French Open final

Andrea Petkovic Dissects Coco Gauff’s Tactical Mastery in French Open 2025 Final Over Aryna Sabalenka

Former world No. 9 Andrea Petkovic offered a compelling analysis of Coco Gauff’s 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open 2025 women’s final on June 7, describing how Gauff’s strategic brilliance induced “panic” in the world No. 1. In her Substack newsletter *Finite Jest*, Petkovic wrote, “Coco Gauff steals your space, then your time,” encapsulating how Gauff’s relentless court coverage and rapid decision-making overwhelmed Sabalenka, leading to 70 unforced errors, per andreapetkovic.substack.com.[](https://andreapetkovic.substack.com/p/roland-garros-iii)

Petkovic highlighted the clash of styles: Sabalenka’s aggressive, winner-driven mindset versus Gauff’s defensive mastery and high tennis IQ. “Players like Aryna value winners hit more than unforced errors gained… For Coco, an unforced error from the opponent is just as much confirmation for doing things right,” she noted, per andreapetkovic.substack.com. Gauff’s ability to recognize and pounce on short balls “within a fraction of a second” shrinks the court for opponents, creating a “subliminal notion” that nothing short is safe, per www.sportskeeda.com. This pressure culminated in Sabalenka’s match-point backhand sailing wide, as she aimed for an unattainable line shot under stress, per andreapetkovic.substack.com.[](https://andreapetkovic.substack.com/p/roland-garros-iii)[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-coco-gauff-steals-space-time-andrea-petkovic-explains-american-made-aryna-sabalenka-panic-french-open-final)[](https://andreapetkovic.substack.com/p/roland-garros-iii)

Petkovic, who lost to a 15-year-old Gauff in the 2019 Linz semi-finals, emphasized that Gauff is no mere “pusher” but a generational talent whose speed and anticipation disrupt rhythm, per andreapetkovic.substack.com. Gauff’s composure contrasted with Sabalenka’s visible frustration, exacerbated by windy conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier, per www.nytimes.com. Posts on X, like @max10mil, echoed Petkovic’s view, stating, “Coco’s jaw-dropping speed MADE Sabalenka’s game change from tennis into desperation,” per @max10mil.

Sabalenka’s post-match claim that Gauff won due to her errors rather than brilliance drew backlash, but Petkovic offered context, recalling her own shift from a winner-focused mindset to valuing forced errors. “It helps explain the attitude,” she wrote, though not excusing Sabalenka’s remarks, per tennishead.net. Gauff’s second Grand Slam title, following her 2023 US Open win over Sabalenka, cements her as a clay-court threat, per www.washingtonpost.com.