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Aryna Sabalenka’s coaches reveal what they say back when she shouts at them during matches

Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images
Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images
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Aryna Sabalenka is through to her maiden Roland Garros final where she’ll play Coco Gauff.

The world number one has been at her brilliant best in Paris, producing several impressive displays on her way to the French Open final.

Kamilla Rakhimova, Jil Teichmann, Olga Danilovic, Amanda Anisimova, and Qinwen Zheng were all defeated in straight sets as the Belarusian advanced to the semi-finals.

Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng shake hands at the net after their 2025 French Open match
Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images

There, Sabalenka beat Iga Swiatek in three sets, 7-6, 4-6, 6-0, booking her spot in Saturday’s championship match, where she’ll play world number two Gauff.

Ahead of Sabalenka’s maiden Roland Garros final, her two coaches have shared their thoughts on her on-court outbursts.

Aryna Sabalenka’s coaches admit ‘whatever you reply doesn’t matter’ when she shouts at them

During a press conference ahead of the 2025 French Open final, coach Anton Dubrov was asked how he responds when Sabalenka shouts at him during matches.

“It’s always different. She can tell you whatever she wants, whatever you reply doesn’t matter,” he admitted.

“It’s always different, it can be a joke from my side, it can be some angry words back, or just simple instructions.

Aryna Sabalenka screams during her semi-final win at the 2025 French Open
Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images

“She says whatever, and she’s back to work. She knows that we understand she’s under stress, that’s ok, so she can see from us that it’s ok. 

“Sometimes [I suggest tactical changes], especially if we can see she’s not doing something for a few points, we say what she has to focus on.”

Dubrov went on to explain that the most important thing is to let Sabalenka move on from the frustration.

Anton Dubrov speaks to the media ahead of the 2023 Australian Open final
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

“I remember two years ago Novak [Djokovic] spoke during Wimbledon that it’s more about, everyone gets frustrated, but it’s more about how fast you can focus back on your thing,” he said.

“This is the biggest one, because you cannot be perfect, and you don’t have to be. You have to be yourself, accept this fact, and think about what you need to do, how you can change yourself physically so you can be mentally calmer.

“As soon as you realise what’s going on with you, and you know the answer of what to do, it’s easier to move on.”

Sabalenka could be seen shouting up at her coaching team during the early stages of her tense semi-final with Swiatek.

Fans have become used to hearing the world number one do just that, something she’s well aware of, often joking about her temperament during interviews and trophy ceremonies.

Another of Sabalenka’s coaches, Joe Stacy, revealed the ‘simple saying’ her team uses when discussing the 27-year-old’s outbursts.

“On our team, we have a very simple saying. Don’t fight it, don’t feed it,” he said.

“We don’t want to fight it because the stress, anxiety, pressure, the mistakes, all those things are going to be there, so you can’t pretend it’s not going to be a thing.

“But you don’t want to feed it either, and give it too much energy and power. Accept the way it is, understand what you have control over, and just focus on that.”

Sabalenka will no doubt feel plenty of stress and anxiety when she takes to the court for her 11th career meeting with her American rival.

Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff: The story so far

The world’s top two players have faced off ten times previously, with the head-to-head tied at 5-5.

MatchSurfaceWinnerLoserScore
2025 Madrid Open – FClayAryna SabalenkaCoco Gauff6-3, 7-6
2024 WTA Finals – SFHardCoco GauffAryna Sabalenka7-6, 6-3
2024 Wuhan – SFHardAryna SabalenkaCoco Gauff1-6, 6-4, 6-4
2024 Australian Open – SFHardAryna SabalenkaCoco Gauff7-6, 6-4
2023 US Open – FHardCoco GauffAryna Sabalenka2-6, 6-3, 6-2
2023 Indian Wells – QFHardAryna SabalenkaCoco Gauff6-4, 6-0
2022 Toronto – 3RHardCoco GauffAryna Sabalenka7-5, 4-6, 7-6
2021 Rome – 3RClayCoco GauffAryna Sabalenka7-5, 6-3
2020 Ostrava – 2RHardAryna SabalenkaCoco Gauff1-6, 7-5, 7-6
2020 Lexington – 2RHardCoco GauffAryna Sabalenka7-6, 4-6, 6-4
Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff’s head-to-head record

In their one previous meeting this year, Sabalenka beat Gauff in the Madrid Open final, 6-3, 7-6.

In doing so she levelled their clay head-to-head at 1-1, having previously lost in Rome four years earlier.

With nothing separating the pair, it’s tough to predict who will come away with the title on Saturday.

Perhaps the Grand Slam pedigree of Sabalenka will see her through, looking to add to her three titles, whereas Gauff has just the one Major to her name.

Only time will tell who will become the 2025 French Open champion, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action when Sabalenka plays Gauff on Saturday, June 7.