Sabalenka Apologises to Gauff for French Open Final Comments
Colaboradores
Aryna Sabalenka has reached out to Coco Gauff to apologise for her “completely unprofessional” comments following her defeat in the French Open final earlier this month. The world number one penned a letter to Gauff expressing her regret over her post-match remarks.
In the wake of her 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-4 loss to Gauff in Paris, Sabalenka had stated that it was the “worst final I ever played,” adding that Gauff won not because of her incredible play, but rather due to Sabalenka's own errors. These comments sparked considerable debate in the tennis world.
Speaking ten days after the final, Sabalenka acknowledged the inappropriateness of her initial reaction. “That was just completely unprofessional of me. I let my emotions get the better of me,” she told Eurosport Germany. “I absolutely regretted what I said back then.”
Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam singles champion, has had a tough year in major finals, losing both she competed in. She also lost to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final, and has struggled to maintain her composure during crucial moments.
She admitted she was overly emotional during the press conference. “It took me a while to revisit it, to approach it with open eyes and to understand. I realised a lot about myself. Why did I lose so many finals? I kept getting so emotional. So it was a tough but very instructive lesson for me.”
Sabalenka's apology demonstrates a significant step towards sportsmanship and self-awareness. This comes as she prepares to kick off her grass-court season at the Berlin Open, leading up to Wimbledon on June 30.
Moving Forward: Sabalenka's Focus
Sabalenka now aims to put the French Open experience behind her and focus on improving her mental game. She hopes to demonstrate a more composed and professional attitude as she continues her quest for Grand Slam titles.
Key Takeaways:
- Aryna Sabalenka apologises to Coco Gauff for unprofessional comments.
- Sabalenka acknowledges her emotional state impacted her performance.
- She aims to improve her mental game and show more composure.