“They want the scoop” – Jimmy Connors blasts Aryna Sabalenka’s critics amid backlash over Coco Gauff comments after French Open loss
Jimmy Connors Defends Aryna Sabalenka Amid French Open 2025 Controversy, Urges Grand Slam Reform
Tennis legend Jimmy Connors has come to the defense of Aryna Sabalenka following the intense backlash she faced for her comments after losing to Coco Gauff in the French Open 2025 women’s final on June 7, 2025. Sabalenka, the world No. 1, was defeated 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 by Gauff and sparked controversy by stating in her press conference that Gauff’s victory was due to her own 70 unforced errors rather than Gauff’s brilliance, saying, “She won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all those mistakes.” She also suggested Iga Swiatek would have beaten Gauff in a hypothetical final, per www.sportskeeda.com.[](https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-they-want-scoop-jimmy-connors-blasts-aryna-sabalenka-s-critics-amid-backlash-coco-gauff-comments-french-open-loss)
Connors, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, addressed the uproar on his *Advantage Connors* podcast on June 11, 2025, arguing that Sabalenka’s critics, including fans and media, were too quick to judge without understanding the emotional toll of a Grand Slam final loss. “After a tough match, whether it’s the finals or the French or Wimbledon or whatever, everyone wants to hear your thoughts right away. Maybe it would be better to give you five minutes and let the players take a breath,” Connors said, suggesting Grand Slams should allow players a brief buffer period before post-match interviews to process their emotions, per www.thetennisgazette.com. He criticized “armchair critics,” stating, “These guys think they know what they’re talking about when they have not done it… You don’t know what’s in my mind!” per www.tennis365.com.
Connors, who lost seven major finals himself, empathized with Sabalenka’s raw disappointment, noting that her remarks reflected the heat of the moment rather than malice. “They want the scoop, and then they are critical of it,” he added, blasting the media’s rush to sensationalize, per www.sportskeeda.com. His stance contrasted with critics like Rennae Stubbs, who called Sabalenka’s comments “so bad,” and Andy Roddick, who found them “beneath” her, per www.express.co.uk, www.thetennisgazette.com.[]
Sabalenka later clarified her remarks on Instagram Stories on June 8, writing, “Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win… Respect,” per www.today.com. Gauff, responding on *Good Morning America*, gave Sabalenka the “benefit of the doubt,” acknowledging the emotional weight of the loss, per www.thetennisgazette.com. Posts on X, such as @tennis365com and @TheTennisLetter, highlighted Connors’ defense, with fans divided over his call for reform, per @tennis365com, @TheTennisLetter.
Connors’ advocacy for a post-match pause aims to protect players like Sabalenka, whose candidness fueled a storm, as both prepare for Wimbledon (June 30-July 13), per www.yardbarker.com.[]
