Aryna Sabalenka Facing Backlash for Coco Gauff Message After French Open Loss

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Aryna Sabalenka Facing Backlash for Coco Gauff Message After French Open Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Women's tennis World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka caught the ire of several fans after sharing her take on her loss to Coco Gauff at the French Open final.
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As the top-seeded player in the women's singles tournament, Sabalenka entered the title match against Gauff as the odds-on favorite. Besides, in their last meeting on clay court during the Madrid Open final last month, the Belarusian star took down the American youngster in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(3).
However, in the finale of the clay-court Grand Slam, Sabalenka had an uncharacteristic showing. She committed 70 unforced errors, which doomed her as Gauff took the win, 6(5)-7, 6-2, 6-4.
Gauff definitely deserved credit, though. She made life hard for Sabalenka, who struggled to get past her defense. The now two-time Grand Slam winner also dominated the lob game, making 16 successful lob shots compared to Sabalenka's one.
In her post-match presser, Sabalenka admitted that it was the "worst tennis" she played over the last few months, adding that the "conditions were terrible" and that Gauff simply played better in such rough conditions.
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The 28-year-old also admitted that she didn't handle herself well mentally, leading to her multiple mistakes.
What infuriated fans, though, was Sabalenka seemingly downplaying Gauff's performance when she said that "she won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes."
"Example A of bad sportsmanship," a commenter wrote. Another one said, "Wow! The level of arrogance is astounding. You loss to the better player. Accept it and move on."
"Sour grapes," a viewer said of Sabalenka.
"Maaaaan just take the L and give the champ the credit!" a social media user added.
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A fifth poster remarked, "Girlllllllllll!!! Just TAKE THE L.. and get ready for the next match!! You're the person that MADE THE MISTAKES.. OWN IT and don't make excuses!! Coco was and is the better player today!!"
"I know a hater when I see one," a critic further stated.
"Excuses are tools of the incompetent," a disappointed follower noted.
Coco Gauff of the United States kisses the trophy after winning the women's singles final © Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
With the loss, Sabalenka now trails Gauff in head-to-head matches, 6-5. It's also the second time that the World No. 1 has lost to the World No. 2 in a Grand Slam final, as Gauff beat Sabalenka for the US Open title in 2023.
Related: Coco Gauff's Behavior After Winning French Open Final is Turning Heads
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.