Aryna Sabalenka still believes that Coco Gauff is better than her in some areas even after beating her in the Miami Open final.
Sabalenka caused Gauff to make unwanted career history after beating her in the Miami Open final, 6-2 4-6 6-3.
Not only was the world number one able to overcome Gauff, but Sabalenka also dealt with frustrations from the crowd during the Miami Open final.
After completing the sunshine double in Miami, Sabalenka pinpointed Gauff’s greatest quality which she wishes she was better at.
Aryna Sabalenka claims Coco Gauff’s movement is ‘something else’
Sabalenka spoke in her post-match press conference after defending her Miami Open title, where she was asked to name Gauff’s greatest quality.
The Belarusian responded straight away by praising Gauff’s movement, which Sabalenka admitted that she wishes she was 70% as good as her opponent at.
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“Oh my god, her movement is something else,” Sabalenka said about Gauff. “Going into the matches against her I know that there is always going to be an extra ball, and it’s all about staying focused and being ready for an extra ball to come back and the movement is something else.
“I wish I could move even 70% of what she has would be enough for me. And yeah, she’s an incredible player and a fighter and it’s always challenging playing her, and I’m really enjoying this rivalry lately and I hope she’ll stay consistent and hopefully we will meet in many more finals.”
The challenges Gauff presents to Sabalenka are evident, as she was the only player to win a set against the world number one at the Miami Open this year.
Gauff also appears to be aware of her strength, as she recently backed herself as the fastest player on the WTA Tour.
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What is Aryna Sabalenka’s Head-to-Head against Coco Gauff now?
Prior to the Miami Open final, the head-to-head between Sabalenka and Gauff was even at six wins apiece.
Sabalenka had won their most recent meeting, but Gauff had won two of their three previous encounters in finals.
After playing for the first time in 2026 in Miami, Sabalenka now leads the head-to-head against Gauff 7-6, having previously trailed the American 4-2.
| Year | Tournament | Result |
| 2020 | Lexington Open (R16) | Gauff beat Sabalenka, 7-6(4) 4-6 6-4 |
| 2020 | Ostrava Open (R16) | Sabalenka beat Gauff, 1-6 7-5 7-6(2) |
| 2021 | Italian Open (R16) | Gauff beat Sabalenka, 7-5 6-3 |
| 2022 | Canadian Open (R16) | Gauff beat Sabalenka, 7-5 4-6 7-6(4) |
| 2023 | Indian Wells (QF) | Sabalenka beat Gauff, 6-4 6-0 |
| 2023 | US Open (F) | Gauff beat Sabalenka, 2-6 6-3 6-2 |
| 2024 | Australian Open (SF) | Sabalenka beat Gauff, 7-6(2) 6-4 |
| 2024 | Wuhan Open (SF) | Sabalenka beat Gauff, 1-6 6-4 6-4 |
| 2024 | WTA Finals (SF) | Gauff beat Sabalenka, 7-6(4) 6-3 |
| 2025 | Madrid Open (F) | Sabalenka beat Gauff, 6-3 7-6(3) |
| 2025 | French Open (F) | Gauff beat Sabalenka, 6(5)-7 6-2 6-4 |
| 2025 | WTA Finals (RR) | Sabalenka beat Gauff, 7-6(5) 6-2 |
| 2026 | Miami Open (F) | Sabalenka beat Gauff, 6-2 4-6 6-3 |
It may not be long until Sabalenka and Gauff play again, with the clay court season just on the horizon.
Both Sabalenka and Gauff will have a few weeks off before the WTA 500 tournament in Stuttgart, which begins on April 13.
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