The tennis world is abuzz as Coco Gauff, the 21-year-old American sensation, prepares for Wimbledon 2025, fresh off her second Grand Slam triumph at the French Open. Her victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 final on June 7 sparked controversy when Sabalenka’s post-match comments drew widespread criticism. Now, former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli has offered insight into how Gauff likely received Sabalenka’s heartfelt apology, predicting that the young star appreciated the gesture as both players aim to move past the drama and focus on the grass courts of the All England Club.
The French Open final, played under challenging windy conditions at Roland Garros, saw Gauff stage a comeback after dropping the first set, capitalizing on Sabalenka’s 70 unforced errors to secure her first title on the Paris clay. In the post-match press conference, Sabalenka, visibly emotional, attributed her loss to her own mistakes and the “terrible” conditions, stating, “I think she won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes.” She further suggested that Iga Swiatek, whom she defeated in the semi-finals, would have beaten Gauff had she advanced. “If Iga would win me another day, I think she would go out today and she would get the win,” Sabalenka said, sparking backlash for downplaying Gauff’s performance.
Gauff, gracious yet firm, responded during a *Good Morning America* appearance on June 9, expressing surprise but understanding. “I was a little bit surprised about the comments and everything, but I’m gonna give her the benefit of the doubt. I’m sure it was an emotional day, emotional match,” she said, acknowledging the windy conditions both faced. “I had to force her to play that way and make a lot of balls and put those balls in the court,” Gauff added, emphasizing her strategic approach that induced Sabalenka’s errors. Her measured response highlighted her maturity, having navigated similar conditions to win her second Grand Slam, following her 2023 US Open victory over Sabalenka.
Sabalenka, reflecting on her remarks, issued multiple apologies. On June 8, she posted on Instagram Stories, “Yesterday was a tough one. 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.” Later, during the Berlin Open, she revealed to Eurosport Germany that she sent Gauff a private letter. “That was just completely unprofessional of me. I let my emotions get the better of me. I absolutely regret what I said back then,” Sabalenka admitted. “I wrote to Coco afterward—not immediately, but recently. I wanted to apologize and make sure she knew she absolutely deserved to win the tournament and that I respect her.” She added, “I never intended to attack her. I was super emotional and not very smart at that press conference.”
Bartoli, speaking on a BBC Wimbledon preview, offered her perspective on the situation, drawing from her experience as the 2013 Wimbledon champion. “It’s a tough one. I am not going to be the one going out and blaming her. We have all been in a situation where you lose a match, you just feel sad, and you just say something you regret,” she said, empathizing with Sabalenka’s emotional outburst. Having interviewed Sabalenka for years, Bartoli praised her character, noting, “She always has that great personality. She is always smiling. She always has a great sense of humour. So I really, really like her.” Bartoli predicted, “I think Coco will probably have read those apologies and will appreciate those apologies,” suggesting Gauff’s gracious nature would allow her to move forward.
The controversy has added intrigue to their potential Wimbledon showdown, where both are top seeds. Gauff, now world No. 2, has shown resilience, reaching the Bad Homburg quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Victoria Azarenka. Sabalenka, despite a semi-final loss to Marketa Vondrousova in Berlin, remains a formidable grass-court threat, though Bartoli noted her forehand struggles on the surface. “When it starts to skip through on that forehand and go fast and deep on the grass, specifically, she is struggling a little bit,” Bartoli observed, highlighting areas for improvement. Gauff’s superior movement, a key asset on grass, could give her an edge, as Bartoli emphasized, “The ones who were able to win Wimbledon are one of the best movers.”
As Wimbledon begins on June 29, Gauff and Sabalenka aim to leave the French Open fallout behind. Gauff’s ability to handle pressure and Sabalenka’s raw power promise a thrilling rivalry, with their 6-5 head-to-head (Gauff leading) fueling anticipation. Sabalenka’s apologies, both public and private, reflect her growth, while Gauff’s poise underscores her status as a rising star. Bartoli’s prediction of mutual respect sets the stage for a competitive yet sportsmanlike battle on the grass, where both players will chase glory and redemption.
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