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 last of the French Open.
Talking to Eurosport Germany, the top-ranked Sabalenka stated 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 postmatch information convention in Paris, Sabalenka had urged that the outcome was extra on account of her personal errors than to Gauff’s efficiency.
“That was simply fully unprofessional of me,” Sabalenka stated. “I let my feelings get the higher of me. I completely remorse what I stated again then. You realize, 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 once we lose management. However what I additionally wish to say is that I wrote to Coco afterward — not instantly, however lately.”
Sabalenka hit 37 winners however completed the ultimate with 70 unforced errors — in comparison with Gauff’s 30.
She stated she wrote to Gauff to apologize and “be certain that she knew she completely deserved to win the event and that I respect her.”
“I by no means supposed to assault her,” Sabalenka stated. “I used to be tremendous emotional and never very sensible 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 noticed loads about myself. Why did I lose so many finals?”
Sabalenka, a three-time main champion, additionally misplaced to Gauff within the 2023 US Open last, the place she additionally gained the primary set.
“I stored getting so emotional,” Sabalenka stated. “So I realized loads. Above all, one factor: I am the one who at all times 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 as we speak. So it was a troublesome however very useful lesson for me.”