Sabalenka Regrets Post-Final Comments, Reaches Out to Gauff

 Sabalenka Regrets Post-Final Comments, Reaches Out to Gauff

Aryna Sabalenka, the current world number one in women’s tennis, has publicly apologized to Coco Gauff for comments she made following their clash in the French Open final. The two faced off in a dramatic showdown in which Sabalenka won the opening set through a tiebreak but eventually succumbed to Gauff's resilience. The American fought back brilliantly to win 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4, capturing her second Grand Slam title.

Following her defeat, Sabalenka made controversial remarks in a press conference, suggesting Gauff did not win due to her brilliance but rather because Sabalenka made too many errors specifically 70 unforced ones. These comments stirred criticism and disappointment, particularly from fans and analysts who felt Gauff's performance deserved more recognition.

In a recent interview with Eurosport, Sabalenka admitted she regretted her post-match words, calling her actions “totally unprofessional.” She explained that emotions overwhelmed her and that she is still learning how to handle such moments. “We all have those days when we lose control,” she said. “The difference with me is that the world watches it happen.”

She also revealed that she personally apologized to Gauff, making it clear that she respects the young star and never meant to discredit her achievement. “I absolutely regret what I said,” she added. “She deserved that win.”

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Sabalenka’s apology goes beyond simple damage control; it reflects a moment of introspection for the 26-year-old Belarusian. She admitted to taking time to reflect on the incident, eventually realizing the impact of her words and what they revealed about her emotional maturity. “I wasn’t very smart at that press conference,” she said. “But I’ve opened my eyes to a lot of things about myself.”

The French Open final wasn’t the only setback for Sabalenka in 2025. It marked her second loss in a Grand Slam final this season, underscoring a challenging year emotionally and competitively. Despite her ranking, these near-misses are pushing her to improve not just technically but mentally.

Sabalenka emphasized that being in the public eye amplifies her mistakes and makes it harder to process emotions privately. “I get a lot more hate afterwards for what I did than other people,” she admitted, highlighting the pressure elite athletes face. Her comments were not just an apology to Gauff but also a message to fans that she is human, still growing, and vulnerable to the heat of the moment.

Looking ahead, Sabalenka is now shifting focus to the grasscourt season, using the Berlin Open as her lead-up to Wimbledon. With her powerful serve and aggressive style, grass is a surface that suits her game, but she’ll be aiming to bring emotional composure alongside physical dominance.

Her remarks show that she's determined not to let one misstep define her. Instead, she’s using the experience as a learning moment. “I’m not necessarily grateful for what I did, but I’ve learned from it,” she said. That growth could prove vital in her quest to finally clinch another Grand Slam title.