World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka expressed regret for her performance following her defeat to Coco Gauff at Roland-Garros on Sunday. In a hard-fought final, Sabalenka lost to World No. 2 Gauff with a score of 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4, marking a significant moment in the tournament.

Sabalenka Acknowledges Shortcomings in the Final Match

Despite the close scoreline, Sabalenka described her play as “terrible,” apologizing directly to her team for her mistakes during the match. She committed 70 unforced errors compared to Gauff’s 30, which heavily influenced the outcome. However, Sabalenka demonstrated resilience throughout the match, overcoming setbacks such as losing a 4-1 lead in the first set and battling back from an early deficit in the third set to level at three games each.

Congratulations and Reflections After a Tough Loss

Sabalenka made a point of congratulating Coco Gauff on securing her second Grand Slam title. The 27-year-old Sabalenka aimed for her fourth Grand Slam singles victory but acknowledged the need for improvement. She remains a formidable player with three Grand Slam titles, including the Australian Open victories in 2023 and 2024, and the U.S. Open title in 2024. Sabalenka also reached the finals of the 2023 U.S. Open, where she was defeated by Gauff, and the 2024 Australian Open final.

Looking Ahead: Sabalenka’s Opportunity to Rebound

This defeat is especially painful considering Sabalenka’s strong start, which had suggested a straight-sets victory might be possible. Still, her persistence kept her competitive until the end. With Wimbledon starting on June 30, Sabalenka has a chance to recover quickly and compete in another major tournament soon, maintaining hopeful prospects for her season.