Aryna Sabalenka issued an apology following controversial remarks she made after losing the 2025 French Open final to Coco Gauff. The Belarusian player’s comments about Gauff sparked backlash among tennis professionals and fans, prompting her to clarify her intentions and express regret for any offense caused.
After the match, Sabalenka suggested that Gauff would have lost if she faced Iga Swiatek, a four-time Roland Garros champion, under the windy conditions. This statement was criticized by former players who felt it undermined Gauff’s achievement and resilience. To address the issue, Sabalenka reached out directly to Gauff via Instagram, and the American player responded positively.
Clarifying Intentions and Maintaining Respect
At a Wimbledon press conference, Sabalenka revisited the topic and apologized once again, explaining her desire to convey her message personally but choosing to send a message instead, uncertain if Gauff would attend the Berlin event. She emphasized that there was no intention to insult Gauff and that mutual respect remained intact.
“I wanted to say it in person to her, but I wasn’t sure if she was coming to Berlin, so I messaged her to apologize and make sure she understood that I didn’t mean to offend her. And of course, she has my respect, she knew it, she knows it. I’m happy that she was like, ‘All good, don’t worry.’ And yeah, as you saw in the video, we were good, we were friends. So, I hope the U.S. media can be easy on me right now.”
—Aryna Sabalenka, Tennis Player
The moment of reconciliation was captured when Sabalenka and Gauff danced together on Centre Court, sharing a light-hearted TikTok video that highlighted their camaraderie despite the earlier tension. This public display of friendship helped to soften reactions to the initial remarks.
Sabalenka Reflects on the Aftermath and Lessons Learned
Further reflecting on the episode, Sabalenka acknowledged the emotional strain she experienced following the loss and admitted that her response was imperfect. She explained how she coped by retreating to reading during a stay in Mykonos and expressed her determination to avoid similar controversies in the future.
“I did what I did and I got what I deserved, I believe. It was a tough time for me. I’m glad I had a book in Mykonos so I could just get distracted by reading books, so yeah, I got back to reading. The lesson is learned and definitely not going to happen again.”
—Aryna Sabalenka, Tennis Player
The 27-year-old’s confession marks a turning point, indicating her commitment to more measured public statements moving forward.
Context of the Rivalry and Match History
The recent French Open final was the 11th meeting between Sabalenka and Gauff, with the American holding a 6-5 edge in their head-to-head encounters. For Sabalenka, it was her first final appearance at Roland Garros, while Gauff reached the final for the second time after being runner-up in 2022 to Swiatek.
As the first and second seeds at Wimbledon, Sabalenka and Gauff are set to face intense competition and may meet again if both progress to the final. This adds an extra layer of anticipation to their ongoing rivalry and the potential for future high-stakes matches.
Sabalenka’s Upcoming Wimbledon Journey and Draw
Aryna Sabalenka is preparing to pursue her first grass-court title at Wimbledon, having reached the semifinals in 2021 and 2023 but never advancing to the final. Prior to Wimbledon, she was eliminated in the semifinal of the Berlin Open by eventual champion Marketa Vondrousova. Sabalenka missed last year’s Wimbledon due to injury but arrives in 2025 with solid form after winning titles in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid earlier this season.
She will open her Wimbledon campaign against qualifier Carson Branstine, a Canadian making only her second Grand Slam main draw appearance. Branstine has never faced Sabalenka before and has been building experience through ITF titles and qualifying rounds at the French Open.
If successful in the opening round, Sabalenka could face either Lulu Sun or Marie Bouzkova in the second round. The draw in the later rounds includes potential matches against strong contenders such as Emma Raducanu and Elina Svitolina in the third and fourth rounds, respectively.
Should Sabalenka progress through the quarters, she may encounter top players like Madison Keys, Paula Badosa, or 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist Donna Vekic. The semifinals could pit her against Paris Olympics gold medalist Qinwen Zheng. A final showdown might see Sabalenka compete against Coco Gauff again or other top seeds such as five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, or Mirra Andreeva.
Implications and Outlook for Sabalenka’s Career
Sabalenka’s apology and resolve to learn from her past remarks demonstrate maturity and an understanding of the media’s scrutiny and the impact of her words. As one of the top contenders at Wimbledon, her ability to manage both on-court performance and off-court conduct will be critical in sustaining her career momentum.
The 2025 Wimbledon Championships represent an opportunity for Sabalenka to strengthen her reputation and challenge for a major grass-court title. Meanwhile, her renewed relationship with Gauff signals sportsmanship that fans and commentators alike will be watching closely, given their competitive history and rising profiles in the sport.