“Epic loser meltdown” – Aryna Sabalenka under fire from American commentator over ’embarrassing’ French Open remarks about Coco Gauff
**Aryna Sabalenka Slammed for ‘Epic Loser Meltdown’ Over Coco Gauff Comments After French Open 2025 Loss**
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, faced scathing criticism from American commentator Clinton Yates, who labeled her post-match remarks following her French Open 2025 final loss to Coco Gauff an “epic loser meltdown,” per www.sportskeeda.com. Sabalenka, defeated 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 by Gauff on June 7, 2025, at Roland Garros, sparked outrage by downplaying Gauff’s victory in her press conference, stating, “I think she won the match not because she played incredible, but because I made all those easy ball errors,” and controversially adding that Iga Swiatek would have beaten Gauff in a hypothetical final, per www.sportskeeda.com. Yates, on ESPN, called the comments “embarrassing,” arguing, “To say they only won because you didn’t play well and the conditions were poor… How is anybody supposed to take you seriously after that?” per www.sportskeeda.com.[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-epic-loser-meltdown-aryna-sabalenka-fire-american-commentator-embarrassing-french-open-remarks-coco-gauff)[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-epic-loser-meltdown-aryna-sabalenka-fire-american-commentator-embarrassing-french-open-remarks-coco-gauff)[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-epic-loser-meltdown-aryna-sabalenka-fire-american-commentator-embarrassing-french-open-remarks-coco-gauff)
The backlash was swift. Rennae Stubbs, Serena Williams’ former coach, branded Sabalenka’s remarks “so bad” on X, emphasizing Gauff’s defensive pressure forced the 70 unforced errors, per www.express.co.uk. Andy Roddick, on his *Served* podcast, called the comments a “personal shot” at Gauff, per www.essentiallysports.com. Fans on X, like @eaglelex_eth, deemed Sabalenka “classless,” with @BusieM_M demanding better sportsmanship, per www.newsweek.com. Ubah Hassan of *RHONY* escalated the controversy with a personal jab, mocking Sabalenka’s appearance on Instagram, per www.sportskeeda.com.[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2067078/aryna-sabalenka-coco-gauff-french-open)[](https://www.newsweek.com/sports/aryna-sabalenka-sparks-controversy-coco-gauff-comments-after-french-open-2082499)[](https://x.com/seasonedbf/status/1932393879883390997)
Sabalenka issued an Instagram Stories apology on June 8, writing, “Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win… Respect,” per www.today.com. Gauff, 21, responded gracefully on *Good Morning America* on June 9, saying, “I was a little bit surprised… but I’m gonna give her the benefit of the doubt. It was an emotional day,” per www.sportskeeda.com. Despite the apology, critics like therapist Racine R. Henry called it insincere, arguing Sabalenka failed to fully credit Gauff’s skill, per www.huffpost.com. The controversy, amplified by Yates’ remarks, has fueled debates about sportsmanship as Sabalenka prepares for Wimbledon (June 30-July 13), per www.wtatennis.com.[]
