Aryna Sabalenka mentioned she apologized to Coco Gauff for making “unprofessional” feedback following her loss within the French Open remaining at Roland Garros earlier this month. The world No. 1 urged after the match that her 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 defeat was extra about her personal errors than Gauff’s play.
“That was simply fully unprofessional of me,” Sabalenka mentioned at Eurosport Germany. “I let my feelings get the higher of me. I completely remorse what I mentioned again then. You understand, all of us make errors. I am only a human being who’s nonetheless studying in life. I feel all of us have these days after we lose management. However what I additionally need to say is that I wrote to Coco afterward — not instantly, however not too long ago.”
Sabalenka had received three of the final eight Grand Slams and had been essentially the most profitable singles participant on the ladies’s circuit in 2025 previous to the loss to Gauff, who improved to 6-5 all-time in opposition to Sabalenka.
Sabalenka mentioned she took time after the French Open remaining to mirror on how her post-match feedback got here throughout and ultimately determined to succeed in out to Gauff to make issues proper. The Belarusian star defined that she wished to be clear her remarks weren’t meant to decrease Gauff’s accomplishment or counsel she did not earn the title.
“I by no means supposed to assault her,” Sabalenka mentioned. “I used to be tremendous emotional and never very sensible at that press convention. I am not essentially grateful for what I did. It took me some time to return and give it some thought, to strategy it with open eyes, and to know. I spotted rather a lot about myself. Why did I lose so many finals?”
Sabalenka admitted the second bought the higher of her — each by way of her efficiency on courtroom and her composure afterward. She had 70 unforced errors in comparison with simply 30 from Gauff.
“I stored getting so emotional,” Sabalenka mentioned. “So I realized rather a lot. Above all, one factor: I am the one who all the time treats my opponents with nice respect, whether or not I win or lose. With out that respect, I would not be the place I’m at present. So it was a troublesome however very invaluable lesson for me.”
