BERLIN — Aryna Sabalenka says she has written to Coco Gauff to apologize for the “unprofessional” feedback she made following her loss to her American rival within the last of the French Open.
Chatting with Eurosport Germany, the top-ranked Sabalenka mentioned her remarks after her 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 loss to Gauff at Roland Garros this month had been a mistake. In her postmatch information convention in Paris, Sabalenka had instructed that the outcome was extra because of her personal errors than to Gauff’s efficiency.
“That was simply fully unprofessional of me,” Sabalenka mentioned. “I let my feelings get the higher of me. I completely remorse what I mentioned again then. You realize, all of us make errors. I am only a human being who’s nonetheless studying in life. I believe all of us have these days after we lose management. However what I additionally wish to say is that I wrote to Coco afterward — not instantly, however lately.”
Sabalenka hit 37 winners however completed the ultimate with 70 unforced errors — in comparison with Gauff’s 30.
She mentioned she wrote to Gauff to apologize and “be certain she knew she completely deserved to win the event and that I respect her.”
“I by no means meant to assault her,” Sabalenka mentioned. “I used to be tremendous emotional and never very sensible at that press convention. I am not essentially grateful for what I did. It took me some time to return and give it some thought, to method it with open eyes, and to know. I spotted rather a lot about myself. Why did I lose so many finals?”
Sabalenka, a three-time main champion, additionally misplaced to Gauff within the 2023 US Open last, the place she additionally received the primary set.
“I stored getting so emotional,” Sabalenka mentioned. “So I discovered rather a lot. Above all, one factor: I am the one who at all times treats my opponents with nice respect, whether or not I win or lose. With out that respect, I would not be the place I’m right now. So it was a tricky however very worthwhile lesson for me.”
