‘I preach love’ – Coco Gauff thought of her family and clutched a toy strawberry instead of attacking Aryna Sabalenka
Coco Gauff’s gracious response to Aryna Sabalenka’s controversial comments after the 2025 French Open final showcased her emphasis on positivity and family values, encapsulated in her statement, “I preach love, I preach light.” Following her 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 victory over Sabalenka on June 7, 2025, at Roland Garros, Sabalenka attributed her loss to her own mistakes rather than Gauff’s skill, saying, “She won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes.” These remarks drew significant backlash for lacking sportsmanship, particularly in the U.S., prompting Sabalenka to later apologize, calling her comments “unprofessional.”[](https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/45604196/coco-gauff-aryna-sabalenka-moving-comments-criticism)[](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6431752/2025/06/17/tennis-sabalenka-gauff-french-open-final/)
Gauff, instead of retaliating, chose to focus on unity and forgiveness, reflecting her family’s influence. In a press conference on June 28, 2025, ahead of Wimbledon, she said, “I’m not the person that will fuel hate in the world… I just want us to be kumbaya, live happily, hakuna matata, and be happy here.” Her approach was shaped by her close-knit family, particularly her parents, Candi and Corey Gauff, who have been pivotal in her career. Gauff has often credited their support for keeping her grounded, with her father, Corey, notably wearing AirPods during her matches to avoid distractions, a lighthearted detail she shared post-French Open.[](https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/45604196/coco-gauff-aryna-sabalenka-moving-comments-criticism)[](https://people.com/aryna-sabalenka-addresses-controversial-comments-coco-gauff-french-open-11750557)
The mention of clutching a toy strawberry refers to Gauff’s playful side, often seen in her off-court moments. While no specific reports confirm her holding a toy strawberry during this episode, it aligns with her lighthearted personality, evident in her TikTok dance with Sabalenka on Wimbledon’s Centre Court on June 27, 2025. The viral clip, set to “Gonna Make You Sweat,” symbolized their reconciliation, with Gauff captioning it, “OK, Guys, we’re back. Did you miss us? ’Cause we missed you.” Sabalenka added, “TikTok dances always had a way of bringing people together,” reinforcing their restored friendship.[](https://khelnow.com/tennis/aryna-sabalenka-coco-gauff-viral-dance-202506)[](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/28/its-cool-with-coco-says-aryna-sabalenka-after-peace-talks-with-paris-rival-gauff)
Gauff’s decision to de-escalate was also strategic, as both players, seeded No. 1 (Sabalenka) and No. 2 (Gauff) at Wimbledon 2025, could only meet in the final on July 12. Gauff acknowledged the emotional weight of Sabalenka’s loss, telling ESPN, “She was probably emotional about it, so I am not going to take it with too much anything.” Fans praised Gauff’s maturity, with one writing on X, “Coco definitely promotes forgiveness,” while others remained skeptical of Sabalenka’s sincerity.[
As Gauff prepares for her Wimbledon opener against Dayana Yastremska on June 30, 2025, her focus remains on her game and values, aiming to emulate Serena Williams by winning both the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year. Her ability to prioritize love and family over conflict, symbolized by her playful off-court moments, underscores her approach to both tennis and life. (Word count: 458)[](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/28/its-cool-with-coco-says-aryna-sabalenka-after-peace-talks-with-paris-rival-gauff)
