“No shade to Iga Swiatek” – Coco Gauff issues firm response to Aryna Sabalenka’s ‘unfair’ claim after her French Open triumph
Coco Gauff Fires Back at Aryna Sabalenka’s Claim After French Open 2025 Win
Following her 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 triumph over Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open 2025 women’s final on June 7, Coco Gauff delivered a firm yet respectful response to Sabalenka’s controversial post-match remarks. Sabalenka, the world No. 1, attributed her loss to her 70 unforced errors rather than Gauff’s brilliance, stating, “She won not because she played incredible, just because I made all those mistakes,” and claimed Iga Swiatek, whom she beat in the semi-finals (7-6, 4-6, 6-0), would have defeated Gauff, per Sportskeeda.com. These comments were widely criticized as “unfair” and “rude” by fans and former doubles No. 1 Rennae Stubbs, per Express.co.uk.
In her press conference, Gauff addressed Sabalenka’s claim with poise, saying, “No shade to Iga, but last time I played her, I won 6-1, 6-1 in Madrid [2025]. I don’t think it’s a fair thing to say, because anything can happen in tennis,” per The Independent. Gauff’s retort referenced her dominant Madrid Open win over Swiatek, underlining her confidence while dismissing Sabalenka’s hypothetical. She acknowledged Sabalenka’s strength, adding, “Aryna was the favorite with her form. I had the toughest matchup, and I’m here sitting here,” per Yahoo Sports. Gauff’s response, praised on X by @BedworthTimes as “classy yet firm,” highlighted her 9/21 break point conversions and 30 unforced errors compared to Sabalenka’s 70, per Sports Illustrated.
Gauff’s measured reply and heartwarming gesture of sharing her trophy with ball kids, per Express.co.uk, cemented her status as a gracious champion. Her win, the first by an American woman at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015, per NBC News, now gives her a 6-5 head-to-head edge over Sabalenka, per wtatennis.com.
