Errani and Vavassori defend French Open mixed doubles title with comeback win over Dabrowski and King

The final

Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori retained their French Open mixed doubles title on Thursday, staging a comeback to defeat Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski and American Evan King 4-6, 6-3, 10-4. The top-seeded Italian duo needed 79 minutes to secure the victory on Court Philippe Chatrier. The first set slipped away after a tense start, with Dabrowski and King racing to a 4-0 lead behind two breaks and closing it out 6-4 in 37 minutes. The Italians flipped the momentum in the second set, jumping to 3-0 and breaking in the sixth game before levelling the match 6-3 in 27 minutes. They then dominated the deciding match tiebreak.

A historic defence

Errani and Vavassori are the first pair to successfully defend the French Open mixed doubles title since Croatia's Ivan Dodig and Taiwan's Latisha Chan achieved the feat in 2018 and 2019. The triumph marks their fourth mixed doubles trophy in the last seven Grand Slam tournaments, a run that includes back-to-back US Open titles in 2024 and 2025. Errani, 39, now holds ten major titles in total: six in women's doubles (including two at Roland Garros, in 2012 with Roberta Vinci and in 2025 with Jasmine Paolini) and four in mixed doubles alongside Vavassori. Vavassori, 31, has reached three men's doubles Grand Slam finals, all partnering Simone Bolelli.

On-court tributes

Both players exchanged emotional words during the trophy ceremony. Errani described the partnership as a continuing dream.

I'm still living this never-ending dream. Andrea, you're my best friend. Playing with you is so beautiful, it's so much fun, and you're so good.

Vavassori returned the sentiment, calling Errani the first person he turns to after a loss.

You're my best friend, the first person I want to talk to when I lose a match. I'm happy to share this journey with you; I don't take it for granted.

What comes next

Vavassori remains in contention for a second trophy at this Roland Garros. He and Simone Bolelli are through to the men's doubles semifinals, where they will face Horacio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers. Italy could also celebrate a finalist in the men's singles, with Matteo Arnaldi and Flavio Cobolli set to meet for a place in the final. Errani, meanwhile, received a commemorative plaque from tournament organisers marking her 15th participation at Roland Garros. Vavassori has already begun lobbying her to continue through the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

I've already asked Sara to hibernate, thinking about Los Angeles 2028. Someone with her mindset is not easy to find.