Aryna Sabalenka issues public statement after backlash over her comments following defeat to Coco Gauff

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Aryna Sabalenka has finally issued a statement after she sparked controversy for comments about Coco Gauff after the French Open final.

Having lost the match after being a set up, emotions were understandably high.

This was perfectly exhibited through her struggles to speak during her post-match on-court interview, composing herself to no avail.

However, she was not quite so measured speaking in the press conference, with Sabalenka’s controversial comments on Gauff upsetting many.

Aryna Sabalenka breaks silence on her Coco Gauff comments

Having faced quite some backlash for her claims, finally she has broken her silence.

She took to Instagram to justify her position, admitting: ‘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.

‘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.’

It seems that, as was predicted, it was all a misunderstanding.

A simple misunderstanding sparks French Open controversy

Sabalenka has been a gracious champion throughout her career, which has been littered with sparkling highs and crushing lows.

Ironically, the two toughest defeats of her career have now come at Coco Gauff’s hands, in the US Open in 2023 and this year’s French Open.

And after such an emotional moment, the Belarusian can be forgiven for perhaps not thinking through everything she says.

Sabalenka is an open, emotional superstar who has heightened the sport which she has dominated for years both on and off the court.

This will likely not be the last controversy she ends up sparking given how open she can be, but her presence is undeniably a net positive for tennis.