Sabalenka’s Apology: ‘Unprofessional’ Remarks on Gauff

Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 tennis player, is walking back controversial statements she made after losing to Coco Gauff in the French Open final. Sabalenka has publicly apologized for her comments about Coco Gauff following their French Open 2025 final clash. The Belarusian star faced criticism after suggesting that Gauff’s victory was due to her own mistakes rather than the American’s brilliant play.

The French Open Fallout

The controversy stems from the French Open final on June 7, 2025, where Gauff defeated Sabalenka in three sets: 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4. After the match, Sabalenka told reporters that Gauff “won the match not because she played incredible” but because “I made all of those mistakes.” She also suggested that Iga Swiatek would have defeated Gauff had she reached the final.

These remarks quickly sparked backlash from fans and tennis experts, who deemed her behavior “inappropriate” and “classless.”. Many felt Sabalenka diminished Gauff’s achievement, attributing the victory to her own errors rather than Gauff’s skill.

Gauff herself responded diplomatically, stating she was “a little bit surprised” by Sabalenka’s comments but gave her “the benefit of the doubt” due to the high emotions after a tough loss.

Sabalenka’s Apology and Reflection

After facing intense criticism, Sabalenka has now admitted her comments were “completely unprofessional” and expressed deep regret for her emotional outburst. In a recent interview with TNT Sports, Sabalenka stated: “That was just completely unprofessional of me. I let my emotions get the better of me. I absolutely regret what I said back then. You know, we all make mistakes. I’m just a human being who’s still learning in life. I think we all have those days when we lose control. The difference with me is, the world is watching. I get a lot more hate for what I did than other people,”

Sabalenka also addressed the hate she received for having a human moment and “losing control” of her emotions after the difficult defeat.

She initially defended her right to be “honest and human” in processing the loss but changed her perspective after taking time to reflect. On her Instagram story, Sabalenka clarified that Gauff “handled the conditions much better” and “fully deserved the win.”

Sabalenka further acknowledged her “unsmart” behavior during the press conference, explaining she was “super emotional.” She realized she needed to revisit the situation with open eyes to understand why she has lost so many finals, often getting too emotional.

The Impact and Aftermath

Sabalenka’s initial comments overshadowed Gauff’s victory, with much of the discussion focusing on Sabalenka’s perceived lack of sportsmanship.

Stephen A. Smith of ESPN called Sabalenka a “sore loser” during an interview with Gauff, further fueling the controversy.

However, some have defended Sabalenka, with Jimmy Connors suggesting players should be given time to gather their thoughts before being interviewed after tough matches.

Sabalenka’s public apology and self-reflection demonstrate personal growth, and her willingness to own her mistakes may help repair relationships with fans and fellow players.

Moving Forward

Both Sabalenka and Gauff are now competing at the Berlin Tennis Open, marking their first tournament since the French Open final. They are the top two seeded players and could potentially meet in the final, offering a chance for a rematch on the grass court.

Sabalenka is set to kick off her grass season at the WTA 500 event. She will face Rebeka Masarova in her opening match at the Berlin Tennis Open following a first-round bye. Coco Gauff will take on the winner of the match between Daria Kasatkina and Wang Xinyu in the second round.

Aryna Sabalenka’s admission of being “unprofessional” and her commitment to learning from the experience demonstrate personal growth. While the initial comments temporarily damaged her reputation, Sabalenka’s willingness to own her mistakes and apologize publicly may help repair relationships with fans and fellow players.