In the aftermath of a gripping 2025 French Open women’s singles final, Aryna Sabalenka found herself at the center of controversy following remarks she made about her defeat to Coco Gauff. The world No. 1, known for her powerful game and candid demeanor, initially appeared to downplay Gauff’s victory, sparking widespread criticism. However, Sabalenka later took to social media to clarify her statements, offering both an explanation and a retraction while giving credit to her opponent’s performance.
The final, held on June 7, 2025, at Roland Garros, saw Gauff, the No. 2 seed, stage a remarkable comeback to defeat Sabalenka 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 in a match marked by challenging windy conditions and intense drama. Gauff’s victory secured her second Grand Slam title and her first on the clay courts of Paris, making her the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015. Sabalenka, who had been the favorite after a dominant season and a semifinal win over four-time champion Iga Świątek, struggled with consistency, committing 70 unforced errors, the highest in any women’s singles main-draw match at the 2025 tournament.
Immediately after the match, Sabalenka’s emotions were raw. In her on-court speech, she fought back tears, describing her performance as “terrible” and apologizing to her team for what she called “the worst final I ever played.” In the post-match press conference, she doubled down, stating, “I think she [Gauff] won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes.” She also suggested that Świątek, whom she defeated in the semifinals, would have beaten Gauff in a hypothetical final. These comments, perceived by many as dismissive of Gauff’s skill and resilience, drew sharp criticism from fans, analysts, and former players, including Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rennae Stubbs, who called them “classless” and “disrespectful.”
The backlash was swift, with social media erupting over Sabalenka’s remarks. Fans accused her of lacking sportsmanship, with one X user stating, “The appropriate response from an athlete with good sportsmanship would be ‘I was not in control of my emotions and made many mistakes and Coco was a better player than I today hence she won.’” Another criticized her for consistently attributing losses to her own errors rather than crediting opponents.
Recognizing the controversy, Sabalenka addressed her comments the following day, June 8, via an Instagram story. She wrote, “Yesterday was a tough one. Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win. She was the better player yesterday, and I want to give her the credit she earned.” Acknowledging her 70 unforced errors, she added, “You all know me… I’m always going to be honest and human in how I process these moments. I made over 70 unforced errors, so I can’t pretend it was a great day for me. But both things can be true… I didn’t play my best, and Coco stepped up and played with poise and purpose. She earned that title. Respect.”
Sabalenka’s clarification emphasized the difficult conditions and her emotional state during the match. The windy Court Philippe-Chatrier posed challenges for both players, but Gauff’s ability to adapt, leveraging her defensive skills and mental composure, proved decisive. Sabalenka admitted to struggling mentally, saying, “I was over-emotional. I didn’t handle myself quite well mentally.” Her initial comments, she implied, were a product of frustration rather than an intent to diminish Gauff’s achievement.
Gauff, for her part, responded with grace. During her press conference, she addressed Sabalenka’s remarks about Świątek, saying, “I don’t agree with that. I’m here sitting here [with the trophy]. Last time I played [Świątek], I won in straight sets. I don’t think that’s a fair thing to say, because anything can really happen.” She also highlighted Sabalenka’s form, noting, “The way Aryna was playing the last few weeks, she was the favorite to win. So I think she was the best person that I could have played in the final.” On “Good Morning America” on June 9, Gauff extended further understanding, stating, “I know she was probably a bit emotional after that match; it was a tough loss. I was a little bit surprised about the comments, but I’m gonna give her the benefit of the doubt. I’m sure it was an emotional day.”
The match itself was a testament to the intense rivalry between the two players, who have now faced off in two Grand Slam finals, both won by Gauff. Their head-to-head stands at 6-5 in Gauff’s favor, with their encounters often producing thrilling, three-set battles. Gauff’s ability to remain composed under pressure, contrasted with Sabalenka’s visible frustration, was a key factor in the outcome. As Gauff noted, “I knew it was going to be an ugly win. It was just about willpower and mental.”
Sabalenka’s comments also sparked a broader discussion about sportsmanship and the pressures of high-stakes matches. While her initial remarks were widely criticized, her follow-up statement was seen by some as a step toward accountability, though others argued that her reluctance to fully own the misstep reflected poorly on her maturity.
As Sabalenka prepares to take a break in Mykonos, she remains a formidable force in women’s tennis, with three titles in 2025 and a strong chance at Wimbledon, where her powerful game is expected to shine on grass. Gauff, meanwhile, is already looking ahead to the next Grand Slam, aiming to build on her clay-court success. The French Open final may have ended in controversy, but it also underscored the resilience and talent of both players, setting the stage for more epic battles in their ongoing rivalry.
In the end, Sabalenka’s clarification sought to balance honesty about her own performance with respect for Gauff’s well-earned victory. As she put it, “both things can be true,” a sentiment that encapsulates the complexity of competition at the highest level.
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