On Saturday afternoon, tennis fans watched 21-year-old tennis star Coco Gauff beat no.1 ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-7, 6-2, 6-4, to win the French Open.
It was Gauff’s second career Grand Slam victory and the first French Open title won by an American since Serena Williams did it in 2015.
Watching Gauff celebrate the victory with her family was a joyous moment. Even the ball crew was ecstatic when she came out to thank them and take a group photo with them.
But then in the post-match press conference, her defeated opponent wasn’t interested in celebrating the new champion.
“I think it was more windy. Also I think I was over emotional,” Sabalenka said. “Today I didn’t handle myself quite well mentally. Basically that’s it. I was just making unforced errors. I don’t know. I have to check the statistics. I think she won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes.”
She even tried to downplay Gauff’s victory by giving credit to Iga Swiatek, who Sabalenka beat in the semifinals.
“If Iga had beaten me the other day, I think she’d come out today and get the win,” said Sabalenka.
This was an about-face from the on-court remarks given immediately after the match, where both had nothing but respect and congratulations for each other.
“Coco, congrats,” said an emotional Sabalenka. “In these tough conditions you were a better player than me. Well done on a great two weeks. Congrats on the second Grand Slam, well deserved here. You’re a fighter, hard worker, so congrats to you and your team.”
Apparently, the pain of losing reared its sore head.
Aryna blamed the weather for her 70 unforced errors. Yet Gauff played in the same conditions and only committed 30.
Then she threw shade by bringing up an opponent, Swiatek, who Gauff beat 6-1, 6-1 the last time they played.
Yet it’s not like Gauff, the no.2 ranked player, was some scrub who pulled off a stunning upset.
In their head-to-head matchups, Gauff and Sabalenka were tied 5-5. And in their head-to-head Grand Slam Finals contests, they each won one; Gauff the 2023 US Open and Sabalenka the 2024 Australian Open.
Her change in attitude was ripped by fans and the media and addressed by Coco.
“I mean, I don’t agree with that,” she said. “I’m here sitting here [as the champion].”
“The way Aryna was playing the last few weeks, she was the favorite to win. So I think she was the best person that I could have played in the final,” said Gauff. “Her being No. 1 in the world was the best person to play, so I think I got the hardest matchup just if you go off stats alone.”
After being criticized, Sabalenka issued a statement to clarify her comments.
“Yesterday was a tough one. Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win,” she wrote. “She was the better player yesterday, and I want to give her the credit she earned. 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. She earned that title. Respect. Time to rest, learn, and come back stronger.”
In all honesty, this was just a little distraction that did nothing to detract from Gauff’s hard fought victory, so that was the end of the drama surrounding her win.
Or so we thought.
During the post-event presser, Gauff was asked about what it felt like winning the French Open as an American.
“Obviously there’s a lot going on in our country right now with things…like, everything, yeah. I’m sure you guys know,” said Gauff. “But just to be able to be a representation of that and a representation of, I guess, people that look like me in America who maybe don’t feel as supported during this time period…just being that reflection of hope and light for those people.”
“I remember after the election and everything, it kind of felt like a down period a little bit, and my mom told me during Riyadh: ‘Just try to win the tournament just to give something for people to smile for.’ So that’s what I was thinking about today when holding that. And then seeing the flags in the crowd means a lot.
“Some people may feel some type of way about being patriotic and things like that, but I’m definitely patriotic and proud to be American, and I’m proud to represent the Americans that look like me and people who kind of support the things that I support.”
Sounds great right?
Yes it does.
But you knew “that” crowd, which I won’t even bother to mention specifically, would come for her over her comments.
So Gauff couldn’t even enjoy a day as the French Open champion without having to be hounded by some drama.
But in the end, it doesn’t matter.
Coco Gauff won the French Open, and Sabalenka didn’t.
Coco Gauff represents for Americans who look like her and support what she supports. To those who don’t, your loss.
So congratulations Coco Gauff. Enjoy your Grand Slam victory and we can’t wait to see you win Wimbledon!
