Aryna Sabalenka Grilled Over Angry Coco Gauff Comments After French Open 2025 Defeat
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, faced intense scrutiny following her controversial remarks after losing to Coco Gauff in the French Open 2025 women’s final on June 7, with a reporter directly asking, “What is your problem?” during a heated press conference, per www.sportskeeda.com. Sabalenka’s 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 defeat, marked by 70 unforced errors, prompted her to claim Gauff won “not because she played incredible, but because I made all those easy ball errors,” and suggested Iga Swiatek would have beaten Gauff in a hypothetical final, per www.sportskeeda.com. These comments, perceived as dismissive, ignited a firestorm, with the blunt question underscoring the media’s frustration.
The reporter’s query came as Sabalenka doubled down, venting about windy conditions and Gauff’s “framing” shots, saying, “It felt like a joke… like somebody from above was laughing,” per www.nytimes.com. American commentator Clinton Yates called it an “epic loser meltdown,” while Rennae Stubbs labeled the remarks “so bad,” per www.sportskeeda.com, www.express.co.uk. Fans on X, like @MJFINESSELOVER, accused Sabalenka of thinking Gauff was “beneath her,” per @MJFINESSELOVER. Gauff, 21, responded with grace on *Good Morning America* on June 9, saying, “I was surprised… but I’m gonna give her the benefit of the doubt,” per abcnews.go.com.
Sabalenka attempted to clarify her stance on Instagram Stories on June 8, writing, “Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win… Respect,” per www.today.com. However, the apology failed to quell critics, with therapist Racine R. Henry questioning its sincerity, per www.huffpost.com. Jimmy Connors defended Sabalenka on his *Advantage Connors* podcast, suggesting Grand Slams allow players a post-match buffer to avoid such outbursts, per www.tennis365.com. The controversy, amplified by the direct challenge to her attitude, has cast a shadow over Sabalenka’s preparation for Wimbledon (June 30-July 13), per www.wtatennis.com
