"The worst final I ever played": Aryna Sabalenka disappointed after Roland Garros loss to Coco Gauff

Aryna Sabalenka expressed disappointment after her defeat in the Roland Garros title decider against Coco Gauff, claiming it was the worst tennis she has shown in a final. The world No. 1 leaves the French Open empty-handed after what had been her best performance in the tournament leading up to the final.

Sabalenka was ahead in the first set, and ultimately narrowly avoided a comeback from Gauff. However, the American was already gaining inspiration and ended up turning the match around 6-7(6), 6-2, 6-4 to claim her second major title. Just like at the 2023 US Open, Gauff came from a set down to lift the trophy.

Sabalenka has been the most consistent player in Grand Slams during recent seasons. Since the beginning of 2023, she has had 9 appearances, securing 53 victories and only six defeats. The Belarusian won titles at the Australian Open (2023, '24) and US Open 2024, while she fell in finals to Gauff, as well as earlier this season at the Australian Open.

This time at Roland Garros, the three-time Grand Slam champion had had a brilliant week, defeating some of the best on clay courts, including Paris 2024 gold medalist Zheng Qinwen (8th seed) and three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek (5th seed), snapping her 26-match winning streak in the tournament. “If Iga had beaten me the other day, I think she’d come out today and get the win,” she stated.. “It just hurts. I've been playing really well, and then in the last match, to go out there and do what I did, it hurts."

"I have to say the first two weeks I played really tough matches, really incredible players. I definitely played a better level than in the final," stated Sabalenka in the press conference.

The world No. 1 committed six double faults and a total of 70 unforced errors, 40 more than her opponent. Furthermore, she only won 47% of points on her serve, and Gauff broke her on 9 occasions out of 21 opportunities. Undoubtedly an irregular performance for the Belarusian, who constantly sent balls into the net and looked far from her usual level.

Sabalenka has reached a total of 38 career finals, though she 'only' won the title in 20 of them. This season, in 7 finals, she claimed victory in three. Despite Sabalenka's familiarity with frustration in finals, she assured that this time was probably the worst performance she ever had.

"It was honestly the worst tennis I’ve played in the last I don’t know how many months. Conditions were terrible. She was simply better in these conditions than me. I think it was the worst final I ever played."

Now she must prepare for her next challenge on the grass-court swing, where she will play the WTA 500 Berlin Ladies Open starting June 16, her only preparatory tournament for Wimbledon – which begins two weeks later. The Belarusian, however, remains at world No. 1 with a lead of over 3,500 points over Gauff, and is assured of staying at the top, at least until the end of Wimbledon.