“I don’t think Coco Gauff cares” – Madison Keys makes feelings clear on Aryna Sabalenka’s controversial French Open comments
Madison Keys Downplays Aryna Sabalenka’s Controversial French Open Comments, Says Coco Gauff Likely Unfazed
Madison Keys offered a candid perspective on the controversy surrounding Aryna Sabalenka’s post-match comments after her 6-7(5-7), 6-2, 6-4 loss to Coco Gauff in the French Open final on June 7, 2025, asserting, “I don’t think Coco Gauff cares,” per www.sportskeeda.com. Speaking at a press conference after her 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Diana Shnaider in the Queen’s Club Championships semi-finals on June 13, Keys suggested Gauff’s focus on her second Grand Slam title overshadowed Sabalenka’s remarks, per www.thetennisgazette.com. Sabalenka, the world No. 1, sparked backlash by claiming Gauff won due to her 70 unforced errors rather than exceptional play, and suggested Iga Swiatek would have beaten Gauff in a hypothetical final, per www.newsweek.com.
Keys empathized with Sabalenka’s emotional state, noting, “It’s tough. It’s emotional, and sometimes emotions get the best of people. Things come out you don’t fully mean,” per www.sportskeeda.com. She added that such moments are hard to navigate with a microphone present, suggesting Sabalenka’s comments were a heat-of-the-moment reaction, per www.puntodebreak.com. Gauff, 21, responded gracefully on Good Morning America on June 9, saying she was “surprised” but gave Sabalenka “the benefit of the doubt,” attributing the remarks to the emotional weight of the loss, per www.foxnews.com. Gauff also dismissed Sabalenka’s Swiatek claim, citing her own 6-1, 6-1 win over Swiatek in Madrid 2025, per www.mirror.co.uk.
Sabalenka clarified her stance on Instagram on June 8, writing, “Coco handled the conditions much better… She earned that title. Respect,” per www.tennis.com. Despite the apology, criticism persisted, with X posts like @MyNumbersGarden calling Sabalenka’s initial remarks “classless,” per. Daria Saville defended Sabalenka, telling Australian Open TV that she was “really hurt” and spoke from her perspective, per www.thetennisgazette.com. As Gauff and Sabalenka prepare for the Berlin Ladies Open starting June 16, Keys’ comments and Gauff’s poise highlight their focus on moving forward, per www.sportskeeda.com.[]
