Olaniyi AyoolaCoco Gauff admitted she was “a little bit surprised” by Aryna Sabalenka’s post-final comments after her dramatic win at the French Open on June 7, when she came back to defeat Sabalenka 6‑7, 6‑2, 6‑4 . The 21‑year‑old American acknowledged the emotional aftermath of such a high‑stakes match and said she’s inclined to give Sabalenka the benefit of the doubt .
Sabalenka, typically gracious in defeat, surprised many by attributing Gauff’s victory more to her own mistakes and the challenging windy conditions than to Gauff’s performance . She admitted afterward that she felt she played “terrible tennis,” coughing up over 70 unforced errors, and even suggested that Iga Świątek might’ve won under similar circumstances. These remarks prompted swift criticism and led Sabalenka to soften her stance on Instagram, acknowledging “Coco handled the conditions much better” and deserved the win.
On Good Morning America, Gauff stated she sensed Sabalenka was “probably a bit emotional” and that it had been “a tough loss,” but she chose to focus on respecting her opponent and her own strategy . She mentioned the wind—after practicing under a closed roof, the open‑roof conditions during the final posed a major challenge, yet Gauff managed to adapt and force errors.
Gauff also pushed back on Sabalenka’s implication that Świątek would have had the edge, pointing out her straight‑sets win over Świątek earlier in the tournament . As the first American woman to lift the Suzanne Lenglen Cup since Serena Williams in 2015, Gauff’s triumph marked a milestone. Now, both she and Sabalenka will turn their attention to Wimbledon, set to begin June 30.
While Sabalenka’s initial comments stirred controversy, Gauff’s measured and respectful response reflected maturity. She emphasized the significance of winning under difficult conditions, maintained respect for her rival, and showcased a champion’s poise under pressure.
Olaniyi Ayoola
Musa
