Coco Gauff has stepped up in defense of Aryna Sabalenka, urging fans not to be too harsh on the Belarusian star for the comments she made after losing the French Open final. Sabalenka, who was defeated by Gauff in a dramatic three-set showdown, sparked backlash when she said she played “terrible tennis” and suggested that had Iga Swiatek made the final, she would have beaten Gauff.
Despite the controversy, Gauff remained composed and understanding in her response.
“Those comments, I was a little bit surprised by them,” Gauff told ESPN. “But at the end of the day, what happened happened. I won because I earned that win, and we both had to play in the wind. We both had to deal with those conditions.”
The 21-year-old American, who secured her first French Open title and second Grand Slam overall, came from a set down to defeat Sabalenka, who had earlier ended Swiatek’s 26-match Roland Garros win streak in the semifinals. Gauff acknowledged the emotional nature of such a loss and encouraged fans to show empathy.
“But she was probably emotional about it, so I am not going to take it with too much anything. And I do hope that people give her a little bit of slack, too,” she added.
Mixed Reactions Across the Tennis World
Sabalenka’s post-match remarks didn’t sit well with everyone. Former U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick expressed his disappointment, while 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert emphasized that top players should know how to adapt to windy conditions. Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs even went as far as calling the comments “bad.”
However, not all reactions were critical. Tennis legend Jimmy Connors defended Sabalenka, pointing out that players should be allowed time to decompress after grueling matches before facing the media.
Sabalenka has since clarified her comments on social media, stating that her remarks were emotionally driven and reaffirmed that Gauff “fully deserved” the win.
Daria Saville: “I Think She Was Really Hurt”
Australian tennis player Daria Saville also defended Sabalenka, pointing out that emotions often run high after big matches.
“I think she was really hurt. I think she didn’t have that much time to process. I’ve done that before when I’m still really mad, and I’m just like, I’m going to do the press conference now,” Saville said during a segment on the Australian Open TV YouTube channel.
Saville, who exited the tournament in the first round, added that Sabalenka probably spoke from a raw emotional state and might not change her perspective even after reviewing the match later.
Rivalry Heats Up
With her win, Gauff now leads Sabalenka 6–5 in their head-to-head record. The French Open title was her first of the 2025 season, following two runner-up finishes on clay in Madrid and Rome, where she lost to Sabalenka and Jasmine Paolini respectively.
Sabalenka, meanwhile, was chasing her fourth title of the year after winning in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid. It was also her maiden final appearance at Roland Garros.
Gearing Up for the Grass Season
Both players are now set to compete at the Berlin Open, kicking off on June 16, where they will be the top two seeds. A rematch could be on the cards if both reach the final.
Neither Gauff nor Sabalenka has won a title on grass yet. While Sabalenka is a two-time Wimbledon semifinalist, Gauff has reached the fourth round three times, including last year.
As they prepare to shift to grass, the tennis world watches with great interest—not just for their performances, but for how this budding rivalry, now shaped by respect and tension, continues to evolve.
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