Coco Gauff has responded to Aryna Sabalenka’s comment about Iga Swiatek after winning the French Open final.
Gauff made a great comeback to beat Sabalenka in three sets: 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4. This win gave Gauff her first French Open title and her second Grand Slam trophy (she also won the US Open in 2023). With this victory, she became the first American woman to win at Roland Garros since Serena Williams in 2015.
After the match, Sabalenka made a comment suggesting that Swiatek might have won the final if she had not been knocked out earlier. Sabalenka had beaten Swiatek, the world No. 5, in the semi-finals. During the press conference, Sabalenka said, “It hurts. I played really well this week. If Iga had beaten me, I think she would have won the final.”
Gauff didn’t let that slide. She replied confidently but respectfully, reminding everyone that she had beaten Swiatek in straight sets at the Madrid Open recently.
She said, “I don’t agree with that. I’m sitting here with the trophy. No disrespect to Iga, but I beat her in straight sets in Madrid. You can’t say things like that because anything can happen in tennis.”
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Gauff also shared that she had mentally prepared for both opponents. “Honestly, I wanted to face Iga because Aryna was playing so well. But either way, I believed I could win.”
During the final, Sabalenka struggled with the windy conditions and made 70 unforced errors. She was upset after the match and said, “It felt like a joke. After playing so well for two weeks, I played terrible in the final. I made too many mistakes. I don’t think Coco played incredible, I just messed up a lot.”
Despite Sabalenka’s opinion, Gauff stood her ground and proved her strength by reminding everyone of her past win over Swiatek. Her powerful performance and mental toughness helped her claim the French Open crown.
