Aryna Sabalenka faced intense criticism after her comments following the French Open final loss to Coco Gauff, where she suggested that poor tennis led to her defeat and claimed that Iga Swiatek would have beaten Gauff if they had met in the final. Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena Williams’ former coach, has come to Sabalenka’s defense, highlighting the emotional strain players endure after such tough matches. The discussion brings renewed attention to the ongoing significance of Coco Gauff French Open victory in the tennis world.
Patrick Mouratoglou’s Perspective on Sabalenka’s Emotional Response
After Sabalenka lost the French Open singles final to Coco Gauff, emotions overwhelmed her, resulting in controversial remarks that stirred backlash from fans and former athletes. Sabalenka later apologized on Instagram, acknowledging her lack of professionalism and revealing she had reached out to Gauff privately to express regret. Gauff responded by encouraging critics to move past the incident and appreciated Sabalenka’s message.
In a detailed Instagram post, Patrick Mouratoglou praised Sabalenka for reflecting on her behavior, stating,
“First of all, I really love that Aryna was able to take distance, reflect, and come back with some comments about her final and the commentaries she made about the match against Coco. We all go through moments when we have too much emotion, and it’s not the mind that speaks, it’s the emotions.”
—Patrick Mouratoglou, Coach
Mouratoglou, who coached Serena Williams during many high-stakes matches, drew a parallel between Sabalenka’s emotions and Serena’s own struggles with intense feelings after difficult losses. He added,
“The emotional level, and I went through that with Serena many times. I know how much emotion it brings, and when you lose and you feel like you had the match in your hands, there is nothing more painful. I think she was at the highest possible pain at that moment.”
—Patrick Mouratoglou, Coach
This context highlights how elite athletes like Sabalenka experience extreme pressure and emotional distress, especially after narrowly missed victories against formidable opponents.
Coco Gauff’s Rising Dominance and French Open Win
Coco Gauff’s victory at the 2024 French Open marked her second Grand Slam singles title after the 2023 US Open. She improved her head-to-head record against three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka to 6-5, showcasing her growing consistency and threat on the WTA circuit.
This French Open title was Gauff’s first championship win of the season. Despite strong showings, including finals appearances in Madrid and Rome where she fell to Sabalenka and Jasmine Paolini respectively, this victory affirmed her status among the top players in the world.
Following the French Open, Gauff began her grass-court season at the Berlin Open but was defeated in straight sets by eventual finalist Wang Xinyu. Gauff is next preparing for Wimbledon, which begins on June 30, where she aims to capture her first grass-court title. Her best Wimbledon result to date is reaching the fourth round, last year ending her run in the last 16 after losing to fellow American Emma Navarro.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Preparation for Wimbledon After French Open Loss
After her loss at the French Open, Sabalenka quickly transitioned to grass-court competition by participating in the Berlin Open. She reached the semifinals but was ousted by the eventual champion, Marketa Vondrousova. The World No. 1 has since arrived in London to prepare for Wimbledon, where she was a semifinalist in both 2021 and 2023, although she sat out the tournament last year due to injury.
Sabalenka also practiced with men’s No. 1 Jannik Sinner on the Aorangi Grounds in London, engaging in a competitive warm-up game featuring a challenge to hit ball tubes placed on either side of the court. Sabalenka emerged victorious, forcing Sinner’s team to complete pushups, illustrating her focus and drive ahead of the Grand Slam event.
Jannik Sinner’s Wimbledon Ambitions After Hard-Fought French Open Final
Like Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner suffered defeat in the French Open final, losing to Carlos Alcaraz in a marathon encounter lasting over five hours. Alcaraz overturned three match points in the fourth set before clinching the victory, highlighting Sinner’s resilience despite the loss.
Sinner’s Wimbledon history includes a semifinal loss in 2023 to seven-time champion Novak Djokovic, and a quarterfinal defeat last year against 2021 US Open winner Daniil Medvedev. He is aiming to improve upon these results and secure his second major title, having won the Australian Open previously. His recent comeback after a three-month doping suspension saw him reach the Italian Open final, where he was again defeated by Alcaraz, who could be a potential final opponent at Wimbledon.
The Growing Storylines as Wimbledon Approaches
As both Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner prepare for Wimbledon, their recent performances and emotional journeys underscore the intense pressure elite players face. Sabalenka’s ability to manage her emotions after the French Open, supported by Mouratoglou’s insight, will be critical in her quest for a fourth title this season. Meanwhile, Sinner looks to build on his previous successes and overcome recent disappointments to make a deeper run.
Coco Gauff’s ascent, marked by her French Open triumph, adds another layer to the evolving competition at the top level of tennis. Her youthful energy and proven success against top-ranked players make her a formidable contender on grass courts.
The upcoming Wimbledon tournament will therefore be a crucial test for these athletes as they aim to consolidate their legacies and contend for prestigious titles under the global spotlight.