French Open runner-up Aryna Sabalenka broke down in tears and apologised for what she labelled a “terrible final” after losing 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4 to American Coco Gauff on Saturday. World number one Sabalenka appeared to be in the driving seat after taking a 4-1 lead in the opening set, but made a staggering total of 70 unforced errors in the match.
“This one hurts so much, especially after such a tough two weeks of playing great tennis and then in these terrible conditions to show such terrible tennis in the final,” the Belarusian said as she stifled her sobs. “Thank you my team for the support, I’m sorry for this terrible final. As always I will come back stronger,” the three-time Grand Slam champion said. “To Coco: you deserve it, you’re a hard worker, a fighter.” She added that Gauff was the better player than her clearly on the day.
Sabalenka, who was the favourite coming into the final based on her recent form contributed to 70 of the 100 unforced errors that were made in a match played in conditions not ideal for flowing attacking tennis. The Head-to-Head was dead even at 5-5 before this clash between the top two players in the world right now. Sabalenka had the recent edge having beaten Gauff in the Madrid final on clay, and also winning their last Grand Slam meeting at last year’s Australian Open semifinal. But it turned out to be somewhat of a repeat of the US Open 2023 final when Gauff recovered from a slow start to beat Sabalenka in three sets.
Aryna, you can be so proud of your tournament 🧡#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/ySgwm3uVqT
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 7, 2025
In the press conference, she elaborated: “Honestly, it was the worst tennis I’ve played in the last I don’t know how many months. The conditions were terrible, and she was simply better in those conditions than I was. I think it was the worst final I’ve played in my career.”
“It felt like a joke, honestly, like somebody from above was just staying there laughing saying ‘let’s see if you can handle this’,” Sabalenka added. “Honestly, sometimes it felt like she was hitting the ball from the frame. Somehow magically the ball lands in the court, and you are kind of on the back foot.”
“Honestly guys this all hurts so much”
Aryna Sabalenka tries to fight off the tears after defeat to Coco Gauff in the Roland-Garros final 🥹
She’ll be back stronger 💪#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/pTfOv3mBRG
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) June 7, 2025
Sabalenka said she is looking forward to a break now. “I already have a flight booked to Mykonos and alcohol, sugar. I just need couple of days to completely forget about this crazy world and this crazy — if I could swear, I would swear right now, but this crazy thing that happened today,” she said. “I think everyone understands. I’m just trying to be very polite right now, but there is no other word that could describe what just happened today on the court.
“Tequila, gummy bears and swimming, being like a tourist for a couple of days.”
(With Reuters inputs)
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
