Coco Gauff graciously dismissed Aryna Sabalenka's French Open insult
Coco Gauff won her first career French Open title Saturday because she outplayed the world No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka.
However, instead of conceding she was outplayed, Sabalenka said after the loss Gauff won "not because she played incredible, just because I made all those mistakes." She also said the windy conditions played a factor (as if Gauff didn't have to play in the same conditions) and Gauff would have lost to Iga Swiatek (who didn't even make the final).
Simply put, Sabalenka was a sore loser, though she did at least attempt to atone for it on her Instagram story the following day, saying "Coco stepped up and played with poise and purpose. She earned that title. Respect." But Gauff didn't seem to take it too hard. During an appearance Monday on CBS Mornings, the 21-year-old dismissed Sabalenka's post-match comments as being high on emotions: "I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt."
“I definitely belong where I am”: @CocoGauff is the first American to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015.
She shares what went through her mind during the final moments of her match against top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, how she pushes through self-doubt and how her… pic.twitter.com/JhOCZiCZH7
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) June 9, 2025
"I was a little bit surprised, but at the end of the day it was tough conditions and a tough match," Gauff said. "And for me, I know when I step on the court — I'm from Florida. I've played in the wind a lot — and I know when I play on a windy day, you're not going to win by hitting winners. You're not going to win by playing pretty tennis… And also when you're playing Aryna, she's such a tough hitter, so you know she's going to hit winners, so you kind of have to make her make those mistakes. So, I think everything that I did was for a reason and for a purpose. That's how I needed to play today. I knew that mentally going on to the court that's what I needed to do. And if it went her way, I would've credited her as well."
Gauff showed real maturity there. Seems like other players should take notes.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Coco Gauff graciously dismissed Aryna Sabalenka's French Open insult
