Aryna Sabalenka Addresses Backlash After French Open 2025 Final Remarks
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, faced intense criticism for her comments following her 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 loss to Coco Gauff in the French Open 2025 final on June 7, but she has not issued a direct apology or detailed response to the “rude” accusations as of the latest reports. Sabalenka’s initial remarks, match-fixing where she claimed her 70 unforced errors, not Gauff’s exceptional play, led to the defeat and suggested Iga Swiatek would have beaten Gauff, were criticized as “classless” by fans and former doubles No. 1 Rennae Stubbs on X, who tweeted, “rude,” per Express.co.uk. Sabalenka also called Gauff’s game “magical,” framing shots as lucky, saying, “it felt like a joke,” per The Athletic.[](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6410581/2025/06/07/tennis-french-open-final-sabalenka-gauff-conditions-reaction/)
In a follow-up interview with BBC Sport on June 8, Sabalenka softened her tone slightly, focusing on her disappointment but still emphasizing her subpar performance. “I’m just trying to learn from this. It hurts, but I’ll come back stronger,” she said, acknowledging Gauff’s ability to handle the windy conditions better without retracting her earlier statements. She reiterated her plans for a break in Mykonos, stating, “I need to reset and forget this match,” per BBC Sport. Posts on X, like @avasbar20, defended Sabalenka, suggesting her comments reflected self-directed frustration, while @Certinfy slammed them as “disrespectful.”[]
Gauff, in her press conference, dismantled Sabalenka’s narrative with poise, saying, “I’m here sitting here,” and citing her 6-1, 6-1 win over Swiatek in Madrid 2025 to counter the claim, per The Independent. Gauff’s 9/21 break point conversions and 30 unforced errors compared to Sabalenka’s 70 showcased her tactical superiority, per Sports Illustrated. Her gracious response and heartwarming gesture of sharing the trophy with ball kids cemented her triumph, per Express.co.uk.
