Aryna Sabalenka praises Coco Gauff’s French Open win: ‘She was the better player’

Aryna Sabalenka has praised Coco Gauff for playing “with poise and purpose” during Saturday’s French Open final.

In the immediate aftermath of her 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 defeat, the Belarusian said her performance was “terrible … the worst final I have ever played” and also highlighted the weather conditions.

Sabalenka, 27, had also appeared to criticize Gauff’s level of play, saying that she had been hitting her shots “off the frame” while being fortunate that the wind kept them in play.

The world No. 1 has now sought to clarify her comments and give her opponent Gauff “the credit she earned” for her first French Open title.

“Yesterday was a tough one,” Sabalenka said on Instagram. “Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win. She was the better player yesterday, and I want to give her the credit she earned.

“You all know me … I’m always going to be honest and human in how I process these moments. 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 purpose. She earned that title. Respect.

“Time to rest, learn, and come back stronger.”

Sabalenka has reached six Grand Slam finals since 2023, winning three, with Saturday her first final appearance at Roland Garros.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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