Aryna Sabalenka has reflected on her French Open final against Coco Gauff last year, which ended in controversy.
Sabalenka was beaten by Gauff in the French Open final last year, despite winning the first set of the match.
The final was played in difficult weather conditions, and in her press conference after the match Sabalenka claimed Gauff won because she played badly.
Sabalenka received a lot of criticism for these comments, and she has now revealed what her relationship with Gauff is like now.
Aryna Sabalenka reveals what she messaged Coco Gauff after French Open controversy
Sabalenka released a statement after receiving backlash for her controversial comments about Gauff, and she has apologised to the American.
When asked about this in a newly released interview with Esquire, which was filmed in December, Sabalenka explained what she has learnt from the fallout from the French Open final.
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Sabalenka also revealed what she messaged Gauff after she made those comments, stating that they still get along.
“I learnt that I have to take my time after the match finished before I go to the press conference, when I lose the match,” said Sabalenka. “When you do it straight away, you’re not you. You’re still that emotional person and like a crazy person who doesn’t really control your mind well and says things that are not true.
“Honestly in that press conference I didn’t really know what I was talking about, and then I went off and I was like going through the stats and talking to my team and I got to a different conclusion, a different opinion.
“Then I messaged Coco saying ‘I’m so sorry’ and whatever, just wanted to apologise and tell her that’s not what I think, that’s not my opinion and we get on pretty well so.
“I just learned that you have to take your time after tough losses in order to be clear in your head and give a real opinion, say what you think and not the emotions that are just going out through whatever you are saying.”
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How many times have Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff played since the French Open?
Sabalenka and Gauff have played each other a total of 13 times, including two meetings since that French Open final.
The first of those after the French Open final came at the WTA Finals last year, where Sabalenka beat Gauff in straight sets.
They played for the first time in 2026 in the final of the Miami Open, where Sabalenka beat Gauff once again to take a 7-6 lead in their head-to-head.
| Year | Tournament | Result |
| 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 |
Those matches have been without controversy between the two players, who appear to have put the previous drama behind them.
Sabalenka and Gauff could next play each other at the Madrid Open, as the countdown begins ahead of both players returning to the French Open, where the entry lists have just been announced.
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