Aryna Sabalenka calls her French Open final comments about Coco Gauff ‘unprofessional’

World No. 1 tennis player Aryna Sabalenka has openly expressed remorse for the controversial remarks she made following her defeat to Coco Gauff in the French Open final. Speaking ahead of the German Open in Berlin, Sabalenka admitted that her post-match comments were “entirely unprofessional” and that she has since reached out to Gauff to offer a personal apology.

Immediately after the French Open final, emotions were running high for Sabalenka. In both her on-court interview and subsequent press conference, the Belarusian player was candid — perhaps too much so. She repeatedly criticized her own performance, describing it as “terrible,” and blamed the difficult playing conditions, particularly the strong wind, for her loss. According to Sabalenka, the windy conditions significantly disrupted her game and gave Gauff an unintentional advantage.

“The wind was just insane,” she said at the time. “There were so many shots where the ball hit the frame of her racquet and somehow still landed in. It honestly felt like a joke — like someone up there was testing me.”

Sabalenka continued her post-match critique by minimizing Gauff’s performance, suggesting that the young American did not win due to outstanding play but rather due to a string of unforced errors on Sabalenka’s part. “She didn’t win because she played lights out,” Sabalenka claimed. “She won because I kept making mistake after mistake, especially on shots that should have been easy to handle.”

Adding further fuel to the fire, Sabalenka mentioned that if Iga Świątek — whom she had defeated in the semifinals — had been the one to face Gauff in the final, the outcome would have been different. “If Iga had been in the final, I believe she would have won,” she asserted.

These statements didn’t go unnoticed and were quickly met with backlash from fans and commentators alike. Many viewed her words as dismissive and disrespectful to Gauff, who played with grit and composure to earn her victory. When reporters later brought Sabalenka’s comments to Gauff’s attention, the American responded calmly but firmly: “I don’t agree with that. I’m the one sitting here with the trophy.”

Now, with the benefit of time and reflection, Sabalenka has taken responsibility for her words. In a recent interview with Eurosport Germany, she acknowledged that her conduct after the match was out of line.

“It was a mistake — a big one,” she said. “I allowed my frustration to cloud my judgment, and that’s something I deeply regret. Emotions can get the best of anyone, but as a top athlete, I should have handled myself better. My behavior didn’t reflect who I am or how I usually conduct myself, and for that, I am truly sorry.”

She went on to explain that, while her words may have seemed like a direct attack on Gauff, that was never her intention. “I want to make it very clear that I never meant to belittle Coco or her achievement. She absolutely earned that victory,” Sabalenka said. “After some time had passed, I decided to write to her. It wasn’t right after the match — I needed time to gather my thoughts — but I wanted to ensure she knew how much I respect her as a player and as a person.”

Sabalenka emphasized that in the highly emotional world of professional sports, it’s easy to say something regrettable in the heat of the moment. “We all have those moments where emotions take control, but in my case, everything I do is in the spotlight,” she said. “That comes with being one of the top-ranked players in the world. Unfortunately, that means my missteps are magnified, and the criticism that follows can be harsh. Still, I accept it. It’s part of the job.”

The German Open in Berlin marks Sabalenka’s return to competition on grass this season. She is set to face Switzerland’s Rebeka Masarova in her opening match. The tournament serves as her preparation for Wimbledon — a Grand Slam title that has eluded her so far in her career. Despite never having won the prestigious tournament, she will enter as one of the strong favorites, thanks to her consistency and impressive record this year.

Sabalenka missed last year’s grass season due to a shoulder injury, which forced her to withdraw from several tournaments. In 2025, she has made it to the finals of both the Australian Open and French Open, as well as the final at Indian Wells. Though she fell just short in each of those, she has also secured three titles this season, demonstrating her resilience and form. Her dominant year has helped her maintain a commanding lead at the top of the WTA rankings, with nearly 3,500 points separating her from Gauff, currently ranked No. 2.

Despite her recent controversies, Sabalenka remains one of the most powerful and consistent players on the tour. Her ability to reflect on her mistakes and take accountability has resonated with many in the tennis community. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how she bounces back — not just in terms of results, but also in how she carries herself on and off the court.

“It’s not easy to admit when you’re wrong, especially when the whole world is watching,” she said. “But I’ve learned from this experience. Moving forward, I want to focus on showing more maturity, both in my performance and my words. I owe that to my fans, to my opponents, and to myself.”

As she prepares for her next match and eyes a deep run at Wimbledon, Sabalenka hopes to shift the narrative back to what she does best: playing world-class tennis. Her talent and dedication are undeniable — now, she aims to match that with grace and sportsmanship.h Grand Slams in 2025, as well as the Indian Wells final. She has also won three titles this year, and holds a lead of almost 3,500 points over Gauff at the top of the WTA Tour rankings.