In the wake of Aryna Sabalenka’s fiery post-match comments following her loss to Coco Gauff in the 2025 French Open final, Novak Djokovic has stepped in to offer perspective.
Speaking at his Wimbledon pre-tournament press conference, the Serbian legend defended Sabalenka’s character. He urged fans to understand the intense emotional toll players face in the moments after a crushing defeat on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
Aryna Sabalenka Faced Backlash Over Post-Match Comments After Coco Gauff Defeat
Sabalenka came under fire earlier this month after a tense three-set defeat to Gauff in the Roland Garros final. The match saw Gauff rally from a set down to secure her second Grand Slam title, winning 6‑7(5), 6‑2, 6‑4. While Gauff’s victory was widely celebrated, Sabalenka’s post-match remarks quickly stirred controversy.
She described her performance as “the worst final I ever played” and suggested that Gauff won more due to her own errors than any brilliance from the American. “I think she won the match not because she played incredible. Just because I made all of those mistakes,” she said. The Belarusian even implied the outcome might have been different had Iga Świątek been in the final instead.
Sabalenka on her loss to Coco Gauff at Roland Garros, ‘I think she won the match not because she played incredible. Just because I made all of those mistakes’
“What happened when you led 4-1? Do you think Coco got better or the conditions got tougher?”
Aryna: “I think it was… pic.twitter.com/ZqiVQ7YSWi
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 7, 2025
The backlash was swift. Pundits and fans criticized Sabalenka for being unsportsmanlike, with many arguing her comments diminished Gauff’s achievement. Gauff, for her part, responded with poise on Good Morning America, admitting she was surprised by Sabalenka’s remarks but choosing to give her the “benefit of the doubt,” acknowledging the emotional intensity of a Grand Slam final defeat.
Sabalenka later issued a public apology on Instagram, acknowledging that Gauff handled the conditions better and “fully deserved the win.” She also addressed the matter in an interview with Eurosport Germany, calling her initial remarks “completely unprofessional” and revealing that she had privately messaged Gauff to apologize.
Since then, the two players appear to have mended fences. A recent video shared by Wimbledon’s official X page featured Sabalenka and Gauff dancing together on Centre Court. Gauff also posted a lighthearted TikTok video that same day, captioned, “The olive branch was extended and accepted,” signaling a thaw in relations.
Pretty iconic #Wimbledon | @SabalenkaA | @CocoGauff pic.twitter.com/biHPvsSaBR
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 27, 2025
MORE: Coco Gauff Reveals She Had to Curb Her Temptation to Fire Back at Aryna Sabalenka but Didn’t Appreciate the Attack on Her Rival
Djokovic was asked about the incident during his press conference at the All England Club. The seven-time Wimbledon champion offered a nuanced take. “Look, we all at the end of the day are human beings that have difficult emotions… especially right after losing a big match, Grand Slam finals for example, as she did against Coco,” Djokovic explained.
“And things happen. When you’re heightened with emotions and your blood is running hot, it’s not always easy to suppress that and put, how can I say it, diplomacy ahead,” he added.
Djokovic continued by emphasizing the importance of respecting one’s opponent but said Sabalenka’s words should be viewed in context. “Even though, I feel like it’s always important to pay respect and acknowledge the success of your opponent that just beat you. I saw what she said and everything and I think in the end she clarified it. Look, it happens. Maybe it came out in the wrong way but she didn’t mean to disrespect Coco.”
Novak Djokovic on Aryna Sabalenka’s comments after losing the Roland Garros final to Coco Gauff, ‘Maybe it came out in the wrong way but she didn’t mean to disrespect Coco’
“Look, we all at the end of the day are human beings that have difficult emotions at the end of the day… pic.twitter.com/CBRPJnBIdN
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 28, 2025
Novak Djokovic Gears Up for His 20th Wimbledon Appearance
Djokovic begins his 2025 Wimbledon campaign eyeing a record-equaling eighth title at SW19 and an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam trophy. Seeded No. 6, he opens against France’s Alexandre Müller in what could be a tricky first-round encounter, especially after skipping the traditional grass-court lead-up events this year.
