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.
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Sabalenka, 27, has now sought to clarify her comments and give her opponent Gauff 'the credit she earned' for her first-ever 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.'
World No. 1 Sabalenka has reached six Grand Slam finals since 2023, winning three, with Saturday her first final appearance at Roland Garros.
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