Coco Gauff fully deserved French Open win, Aryna Sabalenka clarifies

Dubai: A day after her emotional and error-strewn loss to Coco Gauff in the French Open final, Aryna Sabalenka has publicly credited the American for her composure and quality under pressure.

Sabalenka, who let her lead slip in a 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 defeat, initially appeared bitter in defeat — suggesting that Gauff won not because she played well, but because Sabalenka made “all those mistakes.” But on Sunday, the world No 1 struck a more respectful and reflective tone.

Posting on her Instagram Stories, Sabalenka wrote: “Yesterday was a tough one. 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.”

On Saturday, Sabalenka had admitted to the crowd at Court Philippe-Chatrier: “Honestly, guys, this one hurts so much. To show such terrible tennis in the final does really hurt.”

In the post-match press conference, she added: “It felt like she (Gauff) was hitting the ball off the frame, and somehow magically it lands in the court. I don’t think she won the match because she played incredible, just because I made all those mistakes.

“I think if Iga (Swiatek) would have beaten me, she would go out today, and she would get the win.”

Sabalenka said she had no plans to re-watch the final and was heading on holiday.

“No, no, I already have a flight booked to Mykonos,” she said. “I just need a couple of days to completely forget about this crazy world and this crazy — if I could swear, I would swear right now — but this crazy thing that happened today.

“I think everyone understands. I’m just trying to be very polite right now, but you know, there is no other word that could describe what just happened today on the court.”