Aryna Sabalenka has publicly apologized to Coco Gauff for her previous “unprofessional” comments following her defeat by the American in the French Open final. Initially attributing her loss to her own mistakes rather than Gauff’s performance, Sabalenka admitted her error in judgment during a recent interview with Eurosport Germany. She expressed regret for her remarks, acknowledging that emotions had clouded her judgment and emphasizing the importance of learning from such experiences.

Despite hitting 37 winners, Sabalenka was plagued by 70 unforced errors in the final, while Gauff recorded 30 winners and 30 unforced errors. The world No 1 reached out to Gauff to convey her respect and recognition of Gauff’s deserving victory. Reflecting on her emotional responses in past matches against Gauff, particularly in the 2023 US Open final, Sabalenka highlighted the valuable lesson she learned about the significance of respecting opponents regardless of the outcome.

In the pursuit of self-improvement and growth, Sabalenka recognized the need to approach challenges with a clear mind and a sense of respect for her competitors. By acknowledging her mistakes and taking responsibility for her actions, Sabalenka demonstrated a commitment to personal development and sportsmanship in the face of adversity.