Newly crowned French Open champion Coco Gauff said she was surprised by comments from her opponent, Aryna Sabalenka, after her victory in the women’s final. The match, held at Roland Garros, was marked by challenging weather conditions as both players navigated high winds and unpredictable play. Sabalenka, who had previously lost to Gauff in the 2023 U.S. Open final, was emotional after her loss, calling her performance the ‘worst tennis’ she had played in months.
Sabalenka, who was uncharacteristically critical of her own play, suggested that Gauff’s win was due to her own errors rather than any exceptional skill. She admitted to being overemotional and struggled with mental focus during the match, which she attributed to the difficult conditions. Gauff, however, emphasized that both players had faced similar challenges and that her win was a result of her ability to adapt to the environment. The wind, which was a significant factor during the match, was something both players had practiced for, but the conditions on the day were more intense than expected.
Gauff, when asked about Sabalenka’s remarks during an appearance on ‘Good Morning America,’ stated that she was surprised by the comments but understood the emotional weight of the loss. She praised Sabalenka’s resilience and acknowledged the high stakes of the match. ‘She was the better player yesterday, and I want to give her the credit she earned,’ Sabalenka later said in a social media post, clarifying her initial remarks. The two players, despite the competitiveness of their match, maintained a respectful relationship, with Gauff calling Sabalenka a ‘fighter’ and ‘tough opponent.’
The rivalry between Gauff and Sabalenka has been a highlight of women’s tennis in recent years, with Gauff holding a 6-5 edge in their head-to-head meetings, including two Grand Slam titles. Their history of competition and mutual respect continues to be a point of interest for fans and analysts alike. The incident has sparked discussions about the psychological pressures of high-profile matches and the importance of handling defeat with grace, even in the face of strong competition.