Aryna Sabalenka Owns Up to Her ‘Completely Unprofessional’ Behavior Against Coco Gauff in Paris After Unceasing Backlash

Aryna Sabalenka has publicly apologized for her controversial comments about Coco Gauff following their French Open 2025 final clash. The Belarusian star faced criticism after suggesting that Gauff’s victory was due to her own mistakes rather than the American’s brilliant play. After days of intense backlash from fans and tennis experts, Sabalenka admitted her behavior was “completely unprofessional” and expressed deep regret for her emotional outburst.

The controversy began when Sabalenka lost to Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 in the French Open final on Jun. 7, 2025. During the post-match press conference, Sabalenka commented that many felt diminished Gauff’s achievement, saying she won “not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes.”

These remarks sparked widespread backlash, with fans calling her behavior “inappropriate” and “classless.”

The Controversy Surrounding the French Open Final Between Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff
Sabalenka’s comments after losing her first French Open final created a storm of criticism across social media platforms. The World No. 1 had suggested that Gauff’s victory came from her own 70 unforced errors rather than exceptional play from the American. She also claimed that Iga Swiatek would have beaten Gauff if the Polish player had reached the final instead.

Tennis fans were quick to voice their displeasure with Sabalenka’s remarks, comparing her reaction to how tennis legends typically handle defeat with grace. Gauff herself responded diplomatically to the controversy, saying she was “a little bit surprised” but gave Sabalenka “the benefit of the doubt” because she was “high on emotions” after a tough loss.

The American champion acknowledged the difficult windy conditions during the match and explained her strategic approach to handling Sabalenka’s powerful hitting style.

Aryna Sabalenka’s Public Apology and Self-Reflection
Following the intense criticism, Sabalenka issued a heartfelt apology. In a recent interview with TNT, she admitted that her comments were “completely unprofessional” and that she let her emotions control her response. She expressed genuine regret for her words, saying, “I absolutely regret what I said back then.”

The tennis star acknowledged that everyone makes mistakes, explaining that being in the public eye means facing more criticism than others would.e

“We all make mistakes. I’m just a human being who’s still learning in life. I think we all have those days when we lose control. The difference with me is, the world is watching. I get a lot more hate for what I did than other people.”

Sabalenka also recognized that she was “super emotional and not very smart” during that press conference.

Aryna Sabalenka releases a statement saying she wants to give Coco Gauff the credit she deserves:

“I made over 70 unforced errors, so I can’t pretend it was a great day for me.

But both things can be true… I didn’t play my best, and Coco stepped up and played with poise and… pic.twitter.com/Ruc3opdvpd

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 8, 2025

Sabalenka had initially defended her right to be “honest and human” in processing the loss, but later changed her perspective after reflection. On her Instagram story, she clarified that Gauff “handled the conditions much better” and “fully deserved the win.”

Aryna Sabalenka’s admission of being “unprofessional” and her commitment to learning from the experience demonstrate personal growth. While the initial comments temporarily damaged her reputation, Sabalenka’s willingness to own her mistakes and apologize publicly may help repair relationships with fans and fellow players.