"She expended so much energy getting upset”: Aryna Sabalenka’s emotions cost her Roland Garros title according to Lindsay Davenport
WTA
Former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport analyzed the reasons behind Aryna Sabalenka's defeat to Coco Gauff in the French Open final. The former world No. 1 believed that the Belarusian was emotionally overwhelmed, facing an opponent who maintained composure from start to finish, even in difficult moments.
The match was a rollercoaster, with both players ahead on the scoreboard; however, Gauff was the more deserving winner. In the first set, she recovered from 1-4 down and saved two set points to force a tie-break, but Sabalenka nevertheless managed to take the set 7-6[7-5].
From that point on, Gauff slowly took control of the match, capitalizing on her opponent's constant unforced errors – a total of 70 from Sabalenka and 37 winners, against Gauff's 30 unforced errors and 30 winners.
On the TNT Sports television broadcasts, Lindsay Davenport – a former French Open semifinalist – highlighted the emotional control exercised by the three-time Grand Slam champion. "It [the moaning] cost [Aryna] Sabalenka,” she said. “She expended so much energy getting upset and looking at her camp, frustrated with herself, and on the other side of the net, Coco [Gauff] gave up zero emotional energy."
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"She went out there and was like I am not going to let anything bother me, I am going to be very steady,” Davenport added. “Aryna was shades of a couple of years ago when her emotions would get the better of her. A lot of us thought she was past that, being number one in the world and having all these Grand Slam titles, but it all kind of came out here."
"Honestly, the match played out like the US Open final a couple of years ago, it was the same thing,” claimed Davenport. “Sabalenka got so frustrated that she could not focus on the task at hand, which was building points in very difficult conditions."
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Despite the defeat in the final, Sabalenka ends a great clay-court swing with a 17-3 record, the Madrid Open title, and finals appearances in Stuttgart and Roland Garros. Furthermore, she comfortably remains at the top of the rankings, with a 3,500-point difference, ensuring she stays as No. 1 – at least – until after Wimbledon.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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