Aryna Sabalenka has expressed admiration for Coco Gauff’s performance in the French Open final, commending her for playing “with poise and purpose.” Following her defeat with a scoreline of 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4, Sabalenka initially described her own play as “terrible” and the worst final she has ever experienced, while also pointing to challenging weather conditions that affected the match.
In a follow-up statement, the Belarusian sought to clarify her earlier comments, emphasizing the credit that Gauff deserved for her first French Open title. Sabalenka acknowledged that Gauff managed the difficult conditions far better than she did, stating, “Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win.”
Though Sabalenka admitted to making over 70 unforced errors, she maintained that Gauff’s performance warranted recognition. She remarked, “Both things can be true … I didn’t play my best, and Coco stepped up and played with poise and purpose. She earned that title. Respect.”
Sabalenka has had a remarkable career, reaching six Grand Slam finals since 2023 and winning three of them, making her performance in this tournament a noteworthy experience, despite the loss.
This mindset reflects a positive take on sportsmanship, showcasing how a champion can acknowledge both their shortcomings and the prowess of their opponents. As Sabalenka takes time to rest and recover, many fans look forward to her return, hoping she will continue to learn and rise stronger in future competitions.