Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, has publicly acknowledged that she deserved the backlash for her controversial remarks following her loss to Coco Gauff in the 2025 French Open final on June 7, 2025. In a candid interview with *Tennis World USA* on June 29, 2025, Sabalenka admitted, “I did what I did and I got what I deserved,” reflecting on her post-match press conference where she attributed her 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 defeat to her own 70 unforced errors and “terrible conditions,” rather than Gauff’s performance. She also controversially suggested that Iga Swiatek would have beaten Gauff in the final, sparking widespread criticism for downplaying Gauff’s skill. Sabalenka expressed regret, stating, “It was completely unprofessional of me. I let my emotions get the better of me,” and revealed her wish for Gauff’s supporters and the U.S. media to “go easy on her” as she makes amends, per *ProFootballNetwork*.[](https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Tennis_Stories/157075/aryna-sabalenka-admits-she-deserved-major-criticism-and-reveals-her-coco-gauff-wish/)[](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/tennis/aryna-sabalenka-coco-gauff-supporters-easy-backlash-amends-drama/)
Sabalenka issued a public apology via Instagram Stories on June 8, 2025, writing, “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.” She also sent a private message to Gauff, apologizing and ensuring Gauff knew “she absolutely deserved to win the tournament and that I respect her,” as she told *Eurosport Germany* on June 17, 2025. Gauff confirmed the apology, telling *ProFootballNetwork* on June 19, 2025, “She texted me, and I said it’s all good, don’t worry,” emphasizing her desire to move forward with positivity, saying, “I preach love, I preach light.” The reconciliation culminated in a viral TikTok dance on Wimbledon’s Centre Court on June 27, 2025, signaling their restored friendship, per *ESPN*.[](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/17/aryna-sabalenka-coco-gauff-french-open)[](https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/45529538/sabalenka-apologizes-gauff-comments-french-open-loss)[](https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/45604196/coco-gauff-aryna-sabalenka-moving-comments-criticism)
Sabalenka’s wish for leniency stems from her hope to repair her image, particularly in the U.S., where the backlash was intense, with even ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith calling her a “sore loser,” per *Forbes*. She told *The Tennis Letter* on June 28, 2025, “We’ve always been really good with Coco… I’m happy she was like, ‘all good, don’t worry,’” and expressed hope that “the U.S. media can be easy on me right now.” As the top seed at Wimbledon 2025, facing Carson Branstine on June 30, Sabalenka aims to focus on her game, while Gauff, seeded No. 2, takes on Dayana Yastremska. Their patched-up relationship, celebrated by fans on X like @News18Sports, sets the stage for a potential Wimbledon final showdown, per *Tennis World USA*.[
