The 2025 French Open women’s final was a clash of titans, with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka facing off against No. 2 Coco Gauff on the windswept clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier. In a gripping two-hour, 38-minute battle, Gauff staged a comeback from a set down to triumph 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4, clinching her first Roland Garros title and second Grand Slam. Sabalenka, visibly emotional, delivered a tearful post-match speech that sparked controversy, as her remarks appeared to downplay Gauff’s victory. Facing a storm of criticism, the Belarusian took to social media the next day to clarify her words, emphasizing her respect for Gauff’s performance and acknowledging the American’s deserved win.
Sabalenka’s journey to the final was a testament to her dominance. She powered through a formidable draw, defeating Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng and ending Iga Swiatek’s 26-match Roland Garros winning streak in a thrilling semifinal, 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0. Entering the final as the favorite, Sabalenka started strong, seizing the first set in a tense tiebreak. But the gusty conditions and Gauff’s relentless defense unraveled her game, leading to 70 unforced errors—39 from her backhand. “Honestly, guys, this one hurts so much,” Sabalenka said on court, her voice breaking. “Playing great tennis and then in these terrible conditions to show such terrible tennis in the final, it really hurts.” She congratulated Gauff, adding, “Coco, you were a better player than me. Well done on a great two weeks. You’re a fighter.”
In her post-match press conference, however, Sabalenka’s frustration boiled over. She called it “the worst final I ever played,” lamenting, “It was honestly the worst tennis I’ve played in I don’t know how many months.” She suggested Gauff’s win was due to her own mistakes rather than the American’s brilliance, stating, “I think she won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all those mistakes.” Sabalenka also stirred debate by claiming that had Swiatek reached the final, “I think she would go out today and get the win.” These remarks, coupled with her comment that Gauff’s shots sometimes landed in play “like a joke” due to the wind, drew sharp criticism from fans and former players like Rennae Stubbs, who labeled her “rude” on social media.
Gauff, ever composed, addressed Sabalenka’s comments with grace. “I don’t agree with that,” she said, referencing the Swiatek claim. “No shade to Iga, but last time I played her, I won in straight sets. The way Aryna was playing the last few weeks, she was the favorite to win. I think I got the hardest matchup.” Gauff’s focus on her own performance highlighted her maturity, noting, “It was super tough when I walked on the court and felt the wind. I knew it was going to be about willpower and mental.”
The backlash prompted Sabalenka to reflect. On June 8, she posted on Instagram, seeking to set the record straight. “Yesterday was a tough one,” she wrote. “Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win. She was the better player yesterday, and I want to give her the credit she earned.” Acknowledging her candid nature, she added, “You all know me… I’m always going to be honest and human in how I process these moments. I made over 70 unforced errors, so I can’t pretend it was a great day for me. But both things can be true… I didn’t play my best, and Coco stepped up and played with poise and purpose.” Her statement, concluding with “Respect. Time to rest, learn, and come back stronger,” aimed to quell the controversy while reaffirming her sportsmanship.
Sabalenka’s emotional candor has long been part of her appeal, but it also sparked debate about grace in defeat. Her 40-7 record in 2025, including three titles, underscores her prowess, yet her second consecutive Grand Slam final loss—following a defeat to Madison Keys in Melbourne—stings. She plans to recharge in Mykonos, joking about “tequila, gummy bears, and swimming.” Meanwhile, Gauff’s victory, making her the first American to win the French Open singles title since Serena Williams in 2015, cements her as a rising force. As Sabalenka prepares for Wimbledon, where her powerful game suits the grass, this episode may fuel her drive to channel emotion into triumph.
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