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 closing of the French Open.
Talking to 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 have been a mistake. In her post-match press convention in Paris, Sabalenka had prompt that the end result was extra as a result of her personal errors than to Gauff’s efficiency.
“That was simply utterly unprofessional of me,” Sabalenka mentioned. “I let my feelings get the higher of me. I completely remorse what I mentioned again then. You understand, all of us make errors. I am only a human being who’s nonetheless studying in life. I feel all of us have these days after we lose management. However what I additionally need to say is that I wrote to Coco afterward — not instantly, however not too long ago.”
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 “ensure she knew she completely deserved to win the event and that I respect her.”
“I by no means meant to assault her,” Sabalanka mentioned. “I used to be tremendous emotional and never very good 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 grasp. 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 U.S. Open closing, the place she additionally gained the primary set.
“I saved getting so emotional,” Sabalenka mentioned. “So I discovered rather a lot. Above all, one factor: I am the one who all the time 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 this moment. So it was a tricky however very useful lesson for me.”