"I want to give her the credit she deserves," Sabalenka reflects on her comments about Gauff after the Roland-Garros final
On Saturday afternoon, Aryna Sabalenka lost to Coco Gauff in the Roland-Garros final. Despite a strong start, the Belarusian ultimately saw the trophy slip away, partly due to 70 unforced errors throughout the match.
In the end, the American overcame the world No. 1 (6-7, 6-2, 6-4) and claimed the second Grand Slam title of her career. After the match, during her press conference, Sabalenka surprised many by stating that if Swiatek had reached the final instead, she would have beaten Gauff.
These remarks were deemed inappropriate and disrespectful by tennis analysts. Following the backlash, Sabalenka took to social media to clarify her comments and provide context.
"Yesterday was very hard to digest. Coco (Gauff) handled the conditions much better than I did. She was the better player, and I want to give her the credit she deserves. You all know me.
I’ve always been honest and human in how I handle these moments. I made over 70 unforced errors, so I can’t say it was a positive day for me.
But both things can be true. I didn’t perform at my best, and Coco played with confidence and determination. She earned the title—respect. Now it’s time to rest, learn, and come back stronger," Sabalenka wrote in an Instagram story.
French Open 
