World number one Aryna Sabalenka has blamed unforced errors for her defeat to Coco Gauff in Saturday’s women’s French Open final.
Gauff claimed her first French Open title after overcoming Sabalenka 6-7, 6-2, 6-4.
Sabalenka appeared to be in the driving seat after taking a 4-1 lead in the opening set, but made a total of 70 unforced errors in the match.
The Belarusian looked sluggish and sloppy at times, which allowed Gauff to push for the comeback win.
Gauff now leads the all-time series with Sabalenka 6-5, and she has won three of the last eight majors overall.
Speaking after her defeat Sabalenka seemed to insinuate that the win from Gauff was more about her making mistakes.
“I think she won the match not because she played incredible. Just because I made all of those mistakes, I think it was more windy,” she said.
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“Also I think I was over emotional. I didn’t handle myself quite well mentally. Basically that’s it. I was just making unforced errors. I don’t know. I have to check the statistics.
“I think she won the match not because she played incredible. Just because I made all of those mistakes, if you look from the outside, from kind of easy balls.”
Gauff, in contrast, congratulated her opponent after the big win.
“I want to congratulate Aryna, you deserve all the results that you have.
“I want to thank my team … you remind me there’s more to life than tennis, and I think that’s what makes me play better on the court. Thanks to the crowd for cheering for me so hard. I don’t know what I did to deserve so much love from the French crowd, but I appreciate you guys.”
