Aryna Sabalenka Learns ‘Lesson’ and Vows Never to Repeat Mistake After Controversial Coco Gauff Comments

Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff buried the hatchet by dancing together for TikTok at Wimbledon.

Aryna Sabalenka Learns ‘Lesson’ and Vows Never to Repeat Mistake After Controversial Coco Gauff Comments

Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Emotions got the better of Aryna Sabalenka when she lost the 2025 French Open final to Coco Gauff. She said things that she regretted and which also sparked controversy.

Sabalenka said that had Gauff met four-time Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek in the final, in that windy condition, she would’ve lost the match. Several former pros criticized the Belarusian as they felt she was not giving credit to the American.

Sabalenka took to Instagram to clarify her statements and also texted Gauff, which the latter appreciated. At the Wimbledon press conference, Sabalenka was asked once again about her remarks on Gauff, with whom she danced on Centre Court and later shared the clip on TikTok.

I wanted to say it in person to her, but I wasn’t sure if she was coming to Berlin, so I messaged her to apologize and make sure she understood that I didn’t mean to offend her. And of course, she has my respect, she knew it, she knows it. I’m happy that she was like, ‘All good, don’t worry.’ And yeah, as you saw in the video, we were good, we were friends. So, I hope the U.S. media can be easy on me right now.

It was Gauff’s sixth win over the three-time Grand Slam singles champion in their 11th meeting. For Sabalenka, it was her first Roland Garros final, but for Gauff, it was her second because she was the finalist in the 2022 French Open, losing in straight sets to Swiatek.

I did what I did and I got what I deserved, I believe. It was a tough time for me. I’m glad I had a book in Mykonos so I could just get distracted by reading books, so yeah, I got back to reading. The lesson is learned and definitely not going to happen again.

Aryna Sabalenka added

Sabalenka and Gauff are the first and second seeds at Wimbledon, respectively. They could once again face each other if they progress to the final.

Aryna Sabalenka to face Carson Branstine in the first round of Wimbledon

Aryna Sabalenka will be chasing her first grass-court title at Wimbledon. Before the grass-court Major, she lost to eventual winner Marketa Vondrousova in the semifinal of the Berlin Open. Sabalenka has never reached the final of Wimbledon. Her best performance came in 2021 and 2023 when she made it to the semifinals. She skipped the tournament last year due to an injury.

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Sabalenka will kick-start her campaign against qualifier Carson Branstine. The Canadian will be playing in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. She also made her second appearance in Majors as before Wimbledon, she played in the qualifying rounds of this year’s French Open. The 24-year-old, who has won seven ITF titles, has never faced Sabalenka.

Sabalenka will be chasing her fourth title of the season at Wimbledon. Before arriving in London, the 27-year-old progressed to seven finals (including at the Australian Open), winning titles in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid. In Melbourne, she lost the title to Madison Keys.

If she beats Branstine, Sabalenka will face Lulu Sun or Marie Bouzkova in the second round. In the third round, Sabalenka could run into 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu and former World No.3 Elina Svitolina in the fourth round.

The reigning US Open champion is projected to face Keys, Paula Badosa, or 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist Donna Vekic in the quarterfinals. In the semifinal, she could schedule a match against 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist Qinwen Zheng. Apart from Coco Gauff, Sabalenka could also square off against five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, or Mirra Andreeva in the final.

Also read: Donna Vekic Fueled By Paris Olympic Medal to Deliver on the Grand Slam Stage