Aryna Sabalenka Faces Backlash for ‘Rude’ Comments After French Open 2025 Final Loss
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, has been labeled “rude” and “classless” by fans and tennis figures following her remarks after losing the French Open 2025 women’s final to Coco Gauff on June 7, with a score of 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4. Sabalenka’s emotional post-match comments, where she called her performance “terrible” and suggested Gauff won due to her 70 unforced errors rather than exceptional play, sparked significant criticism, as reported by Express.co.uk and Yahoo News.[]
In her on-court speech, a tearful Sabalenka said, “This hurts so much… to show such terrible tennis in these conditions. Coco, you were a better player than me,” per The Guardian. Her press conference remarks were more contentious, stating, “She won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes,” and claiming Iga Swiatek, whom she beat in the semi-finals (7-6, 4-6, 6-0), would have defeated Gauff, per Sportskeeda.com. These comments drew ire from former doubles No. 1 Rennae Stubbs, who tweeted, “Ugh… the tennis was not that bad. You made a bazillion unforced errors because you’re playing against the fastest player in the world… Damn that was rude,” per Express.co.uk.[]
Fans on X echoed Stubbs’ sentiments, with @Verysimpleidea calling Sabalenka’s remarks “bizarre” and lacking sportsmanship, and @Brayster_ labeling her speech “ungracious” and “self-centered,” per X posts. Gauff responded diplomatically, saying, “I don’t agree with that. I’m here sitting here,” and referenced her 6-1, 6-1 win over Swiatek in Madrid 2025, per The Mirror US. Sabalenka’s 70 errors, compared to Gauff’s 30, and her struggles with windy conditions were pivotal, per The Athletic. Despite her three Grand Slam titles, Sabalenka’s reaction has drawn scrutiny for overshadowing Gauff’s second major triumph.
