Latest news with #Sabalenka
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coco Gauff ‘Surprised' by Aryna Sabalenka's Comments After French Open Win
NEED TO KNOW Coco Gauff became the French Open champion after defeating opponent Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday, June 7 After their final face-off, Sabalenka told reporters that Gauff won the match because Sabalenka "made all of those mistakes" Sabalenka then walked back her comments the next day, but Gauff told Good Morning America she was surprised by her opponent's initial remarks Coco Gauff is responding to her French Open opponent Aryna Sabalenka's comments about their final face-off on Saturday, June 7. Sabalenka lost to Gauff, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4, during their final at Roland Garros Stadium in Paris. After the game, Sabalenka, 27, told reporters that Gauff, 21, 'won the match not because she played incredible,' but because 'I made all of those mistakes.' Advertisement After facing critiques for her comments, Sabalenka issued a statement on Instagram the next day, saying, '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,' she wrote. '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." Then on Monday, June 9, Gauff appeared on Good Morning America and briefly chatted about Sabalenka's reaction to Gauff's win. "I know she was probably a bit emotional after that match and it was a tough loss," Gauff said, adding, "I was a little bit surprised about the comments and everything, but I'm gonna give her the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure it was an emotional day, emotional match." Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Coco Gauff at the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2025 in Paris, France. Coco Gauff at the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros on June 07, 2025 in Paris, France. "When I stepped on the court, I was aware of the wind," Gauff said of the weather conditions on Saturday. Advertisement "We both practiced with the roof closed, so I honestly wanted the roof to be closed before the match because my quarterfinal and semi — it was closed, and I thought I was playing good tennis." Gauff continued, "But when I found out it was open, I saw how windy it was on the court, I knew it was gonna be an ugly win." "I had to force her to play that way and make a lot of balls and put those balls in the court,' Gauff said, acknowledging that Sabalenka is "a tough opponent" and a 'fighter.' Gauff was the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams' 2015 victory. Advertisement "I never dreamt about winning a tournament before in my life and I still haven't, and that was the only time I had a dream about winning one," Gauff candidly told GMA. "I just always thought that this tournament, like, just had to happen. ... So I wrote it down and instilled in my head. It was one of the last things I said to myself before I went on the court." Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Aryna Sabalenka serves against Coco Gauff during the Women's Singles Final on Day 14 of the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros on June 7, 2025 in Paris, France. Aryna Sabalenka serves against Coco Gauff during the Women's Singles Final on Day 14 of the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros on June 7, 2025 in Paris, France. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. While Gauff is excited about her recent win, she's looking forward to Wimbledon, which will begin on Monday, June 30, and conclude on Sunday, July 13. Advertisement "I think the main piece of advice everyone's told me is to take it in and soak it in, and then when it's time to get back to work, get back to work," she said. "But I'm always looking ahead, so I am ready to get back and start training for Wimbledon and try to pull that off. But yeah, for now, I'm definitely trying to soak it in." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coco Gauff graciously dismissed Aryna Sabalenka's French Open insult
Coco Gauff won her first career French Open title Saturday because she outplayed the world No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka. However, instead of conceding she was outplayed, Sabalenka said after the loss Gauff won "not because she played incredible, just because I made all those mistakes." She also said the windy conditions played a factor (as if Gauff didn't have to play in the same conditions) and Gauff would have lost to Iga Swiatek (who didn't even make the final). Advertisement Simply put, Sabalenka was a sore loser, though she did at least attempt to atone for it on her Instagram story the following day, saying "Coco stepped up and played with poise and purpose. She earned that title. Respect." But Gauff didn't seem to take it too hard. During an appearance Monday on CBS Mornings, the 21-year-old dismissed Sabalenka's post-match comments as being high on emotions: "I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt." "I was a little bit surprised, but at the end of the day it was tough conditions and a tough match," Gauff said. "And for me, I know when I step on the court -- I'm from Florida. I've played in the wind a lot -- and I know when I play on a windy day, you're not going to win by hitting winners. You're not going to win by playing pretty tennis... And also when you're playing Aryna, she's such a tough hitter, so you know she's going to hit winners, so you kind of have to make her make those mistakes. So, I think everything that I did was for a reason and for a purpose. That's how I needed to play today. I knew that mentally going on to the court that's what I needed to do. And if it went her way, I would've credited her as well." Gauff showed real maturity there. Seems like other players should take notes. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Coco Gauff graciously dismissed Aryna Sabalenka's French Open insult
USA Today
13 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Coco Gauff graciously dismissed Aryna Sabalenka's French Open insult
Coco Gauff graciously dismissed Aryna Sabalenka's French Open insult Coco Gauff won her first career French Open title Saturday because she outplayed the world No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka. However, instead of conceding she was outplayed, Sabalenka said after the loss Gauff won "not because she played incredible, just because I made all those mistakes." She also said the windy conditions played a factor (as if Gauff didn't have to play in the same conditions) and Gauff would have lost to Iga Swiatek (who didn't even make the final). Simply put, Sabalenka was a sore loser, though she did at least attempt to atone for it on her Instagram story the following day, saying "Coco stepped up and played with poise and purpose. She earned that title. Respect." But Gauff didn't seem to take it too hard. During an appearance Monday on CBS Mornings, the 21-year-old dismissed Sabalenka's post-match comments as being high on emotions: "I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt." "I was a little bit surprised, but at the end of the day it was tough conditions and a tough match," Gauff said. "And for me, I know when I step on the court -- I'm from Florida. I've played in the wind a lot -- and I know when I play on a windy day, you're not going to win by hitting winners. You're not going to win by playing pretty tennis... And also when you're playing Aryna, she's such a tough hitter, so you know she's going to hit winners, so you kind of have to make her make those mistakes. So, I think everything that I did was for a reason and for a purpose. That's how I needed to play today. I knew that mentally going on to the court that's what I needed to do. And if it went her way, I would've credited her as well." Gauff showed real maturity there. Seems like other players should take notes.
USA Today
13 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Coco Gauff ‘surprised' by Aryna Sabalenka's comments after French Open win
Coco Gauff 'surprised' by Aryna Sabalenka's comments after French Open win Show Caption Hide Caption Jessica Pagula on accomplished Coco Gauff, Emma Navarro, Madison Keys Tennis player Jessica Pegula discusses how amazing it is to have other amazing American women in tennis dominating the sport. Sports Seriously American tennis star Coco Gauff, 21, is fresh off her first French Open win, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the finals on Saturday, June 7. Gauff's victory marked the first time in a decade that an American had won the French Open. However, Gauff's moment of celebration was short-lived after Sabalenka made some shocking comments to the media following her loss. "I think she won the match not because she played incredible," said Sabalenka. "Just because I made all of those mistakes, if you look from the outside, from kind of easy balls." Although Sabalenka later retracted some of her comments, praising Gauff for how she "played with poise and purpose." The original comments had already been aired out, and Gauff was certainly taken aback by her statements. Tennis News: Coco Gauff's French Open title came with a trophy she wasn't expecting Coco Gauff 'surprised' by Sabalenka comments In response to Sabalenka's comments, Gauff told "Good Morning America" on Monday, "I was a little bit surprised about the comments and everything but I'm gonna give her the benefit of the doubt. I'm sure it was an emotional day, emotional match." Gauff continued, "I know she was probably a bit emotional after that match and it was a tough loss." Gauff went on to call Sabalenka a "fighter" and "a tough opponent," noting that the windy conditions during the finals were very tough on both of them. That is something that Sabalenka noted as well, citing that Gauff "handled the conditions much better." Have Gauff and Sabalenka played before? Heading into the French Open finals, Gauff and Sabalenka had a career match record of 5-5 against one another. Gauff has now pulled ahead at 6-5. Gauff is 2-1 against Sabalenka at Grand Slam finals. French Open final highlights: Coco Gauff wins title in thrilling battle over Aryna Sabalenka
Miami Herald
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Aryna Sabalenka halts Iga Swiatek's run to reach French final
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka ended Iga Swiatek's run of dominance at the French Open, denying the latter's bid for a fourth straight title at Roland Garros on Thursday. A three-time Grand Slam champion, Sabalenka snapped the fifth-seeded Poland native's 26-match French Open winning streak with a 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-0 decision in Paris. The 27-year-old from Belarus dispatched Swiatek in 2 hours and 19 minutes to become the first woman to reach the singles final in three consecutive Grand Slam events since Serena Williams (2016). Sabalenka will look to win her first French Open title Saturday. She will meet No. 2 seed Coco Gauff, who brought 361st-ranked French wild-card Lois Boisson's fairytale run to an end with a swift 6-1, 6-2 triumph in Thursday's other semifinal. 'Honestly, it feels incredible, but I understand the job is not done yet. I'm just thrilled today with this win and the atmosphere,' Sabalenka said. 'She's the toughest opponent, especially on clay, especially at Roland Garros. It was a tough match, it was a tricky match, but I managed.' Sabalenka took advantage of 12 unforced errors by Swiatek in the decisive third set. 'It could not be more perfect than that,' Sabalenka said. 'I'm super proud right now. I'm glad I found my serve.' Swiatek won her first French Open in 2020 before claiming the trophies in 2022, 2023 and 2024. She also won a bronze medal at Roland Garros in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her French Open record is 40-3. Sabalenka and Gauff have split their 10 previous meetings. It will be the first time a World No. 1 and No. 2 have met in a Grand Slam final since the 2018 Australian Open, where Caroline Wozniacki defeated Simona Halep. Gauff, 21, who lost to Swiatek in the 2022 final, returned to the championship round in convincing fashion. She saved four of five break points and took advantage of Boisson's 33 unforced errors (compared to eight winners) to advance in just 72 minutes. 'Obviously there's still a lot of work to do, but for now I'll enjoy this one and then prepare for the final tomorrow,' said Gauff, the 2023 U.S. Open champion who is looking for her second major title. Boisson, 22, was trying to become the first Frenchwoman to win the French Open since Mary Pierce in 2000. Field Level Media 2025 - All Rights Reserved
