Coco Gauff breaks silence on what she told her team after Aryna Sabalenka’s demeaning Roland Garros remarks: “It was a terrible…”
Coco Gauff, the 2025 French Open champion, broke her silence on what she told her team following Aryna Sabalenka’s controversial comments after their Roland Garros final on June 7, 2025, where Gauff won 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4. Sabalenka, the world No. 1, initially attributed her loss to her own 70 unforced errors and “terrible conditions,” stating, “I think she won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes,” per *The Guardian*. She also claimed Iga Swiatek would have beaten Gauff in the final, remarks widely criticized as dismissive of Gauff’s performance. In a candid moment with *Good Morning America* on June 9, 2025, Gauff revealed she told her team, “It was a terrible thing to say, but I’m not going to let it define this moment. I earned this title, and we move forward.”
Gauff, speaking to *Tennis365* on June 28, 2025, admitted the comments stung, saying, “I was surprised and a bit hurt, but I told my team we focus on the work, not the noise.” She emphasized maintaining positivity, telling her coaches, “Let’s keep the vibe high and prep for Wimbledon.” Gauff gave Sabalenka the benefit of the doubt, noting, “I’m sure it was an emotional day,” and later confirmed receiving a private apology from Sabalenka two or three days later, per *ProFootballNetwork*. “She texted me apologizing, and I said it’s all good, let’s move on,” Gauff shared, highlighting her desire to avoid fueling hate, as reported by *ESPN* on June 28, 2025.
The controversy was resolved by Wimbledon’s start, with Gauff and Sabalenka filming a TikTok dance together on Centre Court on June 27, 2025, captioned, “The olive branch was extended and accepted!” by Gauff, per *The Athletic*. Fans on X, like @Tennis on June 29, 2025, praised Gauff’s grace, quoting her: “I’m not the person that will fuel hate in the world.” As Gauff prepares to face Dayana Yastremska in Wimbledon’s first round on June 30, 2025, her focus remains on her game, buoyed by her team’s support and her ability to rise above the Paris drama, proving her resilience both on and off the court.
