Aryna Sabalenka responds to Coco Gauff after French Open row: “Both things can be true”

Aryna Sabalenka was criticised for appearing to play down the performance of her opponent after Coco Gauff came from behind to beat her in the final of the French Open

Aryna Sabalenka has rowed back from her controversial comments in the wake of her defeat by Coco Gauff in the final of the French Open. Gauff came from behind to triumph 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4 on Saturday inside a windy Court Philippe Chatrier.

Sabalenka started the stronger player and took a lengthy opening set before her game unravelled. The world No.1 made 70 unforced errors as the wind and her own emotions undermined her efforts.

Gauff played much more solid tennis in the final two sets and was relentless in chasing every ball as she claimed her second Grand Slam title. While the two players shared a hug on court, there was some needle in the post-match press conferences.

Sabalenka appeared to try and downplay Gauff’s performance, claiming the result was mainly down to her own “terrible tennis”. She also claimed that if Iga Swiatek had reached the final and not her then the beaten semi-finalist would have overcome Gauff on the day.

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The American fired back bluntly: “I mean, I don’t agree with that.” She then added pointedly: “I’m here sitting here.” Former player Rennae Stubbs was among those to take exception to Sabalenka’s reaction to defeat, labelling the Belarussian “rude” on social media.

Sabalenka has tried to explain herself by writing on Instagram: “Yesterday was a tough one. Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win. She was the better player yesterday, and I want to give her the credit she earned.

“You all know me… I’m always going to be honest and human in how I process these moments. I made over 70 unforced errors, so I can’t pretend it was a great day for me. But both things can be true… I didn’t play my best, and Coco stepped up and played with poise and purpose. She earned that title. Respect. Time to rest, learn, and come back stronger.”

Gauff handled things admirably in her own press conference, calmly explaining her own recent successes against Swiatek. “Last time I played – no shade to Iga or anything, but I played her and I won in straight sets. Yeah, I don’t think that’s a fair thing to say, because anything can really happen,” the 21-year-old said.

“Yeah, honestly the way Aryna was playing the last few weeks, she was the favourite to win. So I think she was the best person that I could have played in the final. Her being No.1 in the world was the best person to play, so I think I got the hardest match-up just if you go off stats alone.”

Reacting to Sabalenka’s comments, former Australian player Stubbs had written on X: “Ugh….the tennis was not that bad. You made a bazillion unforced errors because you’re playing against the fastest players in the world who is as gutsy as hell and had better composure then u!! But to say it was horrible…..ugh!!!! Damn that was rude. I said what I said.”