Gauff firmly responds to Sabalenka: "It's not fair to say that"

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 7 Jun 2025 | 20.56

Coco Gauff, in press conference as champion of Roland Garros 2025. Photo: Getty.

Streaming ATP Rome live tennis

🎾 Federico Bondioli vs Emilio Nava

Sign up with Bet365 here
Make your first deposit of at least €5
Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

Despite arriving with different expectations than what the reality turned out to be, something that also happened to Aryna Sabalenka, the world number two caused the final surprise in this Roland Garros 2025 full of twists. After two incredible weeks and a superior level in the ultimate battle for the trophy, Coco Gauff became the new champion of the French Grand Slam.

With a big smile and pledging to deliver a future speech in French if she achieves success again on Philippe Chatrier, Gauff went to the press conference to share how her spectacular experience in Paris has been, how she lived the final, if she expected her triumph, and how she has evolved on the surface.

Challenging Conditions

"It has been super complicated. As soon as I went out, I felt the wind and I could already tell it would be tough because we didn't have the roof closed. I knew everything would depend on willpower and the mental aspect. Everything was decided in those final points, but overall, I am very happy with today's battle. It wasn't pretty, but the work is done, which is what matters.

The conditions were very challenging, especially at the end of the court; it was very difficult to hit the ball and make it go to the other side. It was similar to the first-round match, so I knew what to expect. After playing my last two matches indoors, it has been a completely different experience."

Differences from her first Grand Slam and her final against Swiatek

"The first Grand Slam was more emotional, but this one was tougher. When you win the first one, you don't want to stop there. This is special because ever since I was little, it was the tournament where I saw myself having the most chances to win. I had to go for it, and that's what I did against Aryna.

I remembered the ceremony when Iga won; I tried to pay attention to everything and wanted to experience that someday. When the anthem played, I remembered that moment; it was tough, I doubted myself, if I could ever achieve it, especially mentally. I cried before the match, I was nervous, and couldn't even breathe. Today, I was truly prepared. I told myself: 'I will give my all, whatever happens, I will be proud of the result'."

Her thoughts after losing the first set

"It was disappointing because I had many opportunities in that tiebreak and she played well in that set, so it was important. I told myself I had to try again and not play the same way. I tried to be more aggressive in the second set, and it worked. Then, in the third, I knew she would step up her game. In the first game, she played well.

I had to try to match her level and run. I know it's very difficult to hit harder than her. I try to get the ball back on the other side in defense, but with the wind, it was also important for me to get as many balls in play as possible just because it's difficult. You move with your feet, the ball moves, and shots that are good on a normal day were terrible today."

Body Language

"I don't pay too much attention to that, especially against Aryna. I have seen her get angry and then destroy the court. So I was frustrated too, even though I didn't show it much. In my head, I was frustrated. If I was frustrated, my opponent must have been too. It wasn't a day to play great tennis. I don't know many players who could have played great tennis today, but that's part of the sport and playing outdoors. You never know what to expect, especially in Paris."

Her response to Sabalenka regarding Swiatek's statement

Aryna went to the press conference and said if Iga had beaten her in the semifinals, the Polish player would have won today in the final: "I disagree. Here I am! The last time I played against her, without discrediting Iga, I won in three sets. I don't think it's fair to say that because anything can happen. Honestly, considering how Aryna has played in recent weeks, she was the favorite to win. She was the best person I could have played against in the final because she is the world number 1. She was the best opponent. I think I played the toughest match, given the statistics. Since Iga is the champion here, it would have been a tough match anyway.

Regardless of who I played against, I had high hopes of winning and had that conviction. If someone had asked me who I wanted to play against, I would have preferred to face Iga because Aryna played very well, but Iga is also a tough opponent. Neither of them would have been a better opponent, but things happened as they did, and that's why I'm here today."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Gauff contesta de forma tajante a Sabalenka: "No es justo decir eso"