Aryna Sabalenka‘s emotionally charged comments following her loss to Coco Gauff in the 2025 French Open final have ignited a heated debate among tennis professionals.
After dropping her second straight Grand Slam final of the year, the world No. 1 drew criticism by suggesting Gauff‘s win was mainly a product of Sabalenka‘s own mistakes.
While some have defended her candor, others argue that downplaying her opponent’s performance crossed a line.
In her post-match press conference, Sabalenka admitted, “It was really, honestly, the worst tennis I’ve played in the last, I don’t know, how many months.” She doubled down, stating:
“I think she won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes from, if you look from the outside, easy balls.”
Sabalenka racked up a staggering 70 unforced errors, clearly uncharacteristic for a player known for dominating with power. She also hinted that Iga Swiatek, had she advanced through the semis, would likely have beaten Gauff-an assertion Gauff swiftly refuted:
“I mean, I don’t agree with that… last time I played her I won in straight sets.”
Speaking to Good Morning America, Gauff said: “I was a little bit surprised about the comments… I’m gonna give her the benefit of the doubt. I’m sure it was an emotional day, emotional match.”
She added that both players had to battle the windy conditions, affirming that it wasn’t an easy victory.
A second opinion emerges
Retired WTA player Daria Saville weighed in during an appearance on The Tennis Podcast. She suggested that Sabalenka was still processing the emotional sting of defeat and “hadn’t had time to step back before facing reporters.” Saville remarked:
“She was emotional postmatch and she just spoke with how she was feeling. I didn’t think she looked through like someone else’s lens and she was just talking from her own perspective.”
Saville also emphasized that despite the errors, Sabalenka’s campaign in Paris was admirable, noting that the champion “made you feel that way” on court.
Mixed reactions from the pros
Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick was quick to critique Sabalenka‘s remarks, calling them “beneath the precedent that she has set for herself” and questioning the purpose behind diminishing Gauff‘s achievement.
Conversely, other professionals sympathized with her raw honesty. They viewed her reaction as a human response from someone caught off guard by her emotional vulnerability immediately after a hard-fought defeat.
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