Aryna Sabalenka readdressed her comments about Coco Gauff following her defeat in the 2025 French Open final. She expressed regret for her earlier remarks and hoped that the US media would be more lenient towards her.
Gauff triumphed over Sabalenka with a score line of 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 at Roland Garros, securing her second singles Grand Slam title and third Major title overall.
Aryna Sabalenka Readdresses Comments About Coco Gauff She Made After French Open Final “Emotions Got Over Me and I Just Lost It”
Following her loss to Gauff in the 2025 French Open final, during the post-match press conference, Sabalenka downplayed Gauff’s victory, suggesting that it was not solely a result of Gauff’s “incredible” performance but rather due to her own unforced errors.
These comments drew significant criticism from tennis fans, prompting Sabalenka to clarify her statements.
Currently in London for the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, Sabalenka addressed her previous comments during a pre-tournament press conference. She emphasized that she has always had a “good” relationship with Gauff and explained that her remarks stemmed from her frustration and heightened emotions following her loss.
“Well, we’ve always been really good with Coco. Honestly, as I said in my statement and in my message to her, I didn’t want to offend her. I was just completely upset with myself and emotions got over me and I just completely lost it,” Sabalenka said.
The reigning World No. 1 revealed that she reached out to Gauff to apologize for her comments.
“I wanted to say it in person to her but I wasn’t sure if she was coming to Berlin, so I messaged her to apologize and make sure she understood that I didn’t mean to offend her. And of course, she has my respect, she knew it, she knows it. I’m happy that she was like, ‘all good, don’t worry,’” she continued.
Sabalenka stated that she and Gauff are “friends,” and hopes that the US media will be “easy” on her. She acknowledged the backlash she received, admitting that she deserved the criticism.
“We were good, we were friends. So, I hope the U.S. media can be easy on me right now. I did what I did and I got what I deserved, I believe. It was a tough time for me. The lesson is learned and definitely not going to happen again,” Sabalenka added.
Sabalenka and Gauff will next compete at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, scheduled from Jun. 30 to Jul. 13, 2025, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London.
Last year, at the London Major, Gauff defeated Caroline Dolehide, Anca Todoni, and Sonay Kartal in the first three rounds before falling to Emma Navarro in the fourth round. Meanwhile, the World No. 1 could not participate due to a shoulder injury.
Who Will Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff Face at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships 1R?
Sabalenka is the top seed at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, and she will kick off her campaign against qualifier Carson Branstine in the first round. The Canadian earned her spot in the main draw by defeating Loïs Boisson, Bianca Andreescu, and Raluca Șerban in the qualifying rounds.
The first-round match between Sabalenka and Branstine at the London Major will mark the first time these two players will face each other on the WTA Tour. The winner will advance to face either Marie Bouzkova or Lulu Sun in the second round.
Meanwhile, Gauff, seeded second, will begin her tournament against Dayana Yastremska in the first round. The two players have met three times on the WTA Tour, with the World No. 2 emerging victorious in all encounters. Their most recent clash was in the second round of the 2025 Madrid Open, where Gauff triumphed with a score of 0-6, 6-2, 7-5.
The winner of the first-round match between Gauff and Yastremska at the grass-court Grand Slam will advance to face either Victoria Azarenka or qualifier Anastasia Zakharova in the second round.
