The dust has barely settled on Coco Gauff’s triumphant French Open victory, but the post-match drama involving Aryna Sabalenka has taken another wild turn. After Sabalenka’s public apology for her “unprofessional” comments that seemed to diminish Gauff’s win, everyone’s been waiting with bated breath: what are Coco Gauff’s *true feelings* about the whole saga? The answer, straight from a US tennis insider, might just surprise you and reveal a whole new side to the young American champion!
Aryna Sabalenka’s initial post-final remarks, suggesting Coco won more due to her own 70 unforced errors than Gauff’s “incredible” play, sparked immediate backlash. Fans and pundits alike questioned the sportsmanship, while Coco herself admitted she was “a little bit surprised” by the world No. 1’s words. The tension was palpable, setting the stage for a potentially icy future rivalry.
However, Sabalenka, known for her passionate and sometimes fiery demeanor, quickly moved to rectify the situation. She issued a public apology, calling her comments “completely unprofessional” and confessing she “let my emotions get the better of me.” The Belarusian even went a step further, revealing she had penned a personal letter to Gauff, assuring her that she “absolutely deserved to win the tournament” and that she holds “respect” for the American. This surprising display of contrition seemed to cool the flames, but the question remained: How did Coco *really* feel?
According to US tennis ace Madison Keys, who herself has faced Sabalenka across the net, Coco Gauff’s reaction to Sabalenka’s initial comments, and now the apology, is far more pragmatic than one might expect. Keys revealed that Coco Gauff “did not care” about Sabalenka’s dismissive remarks.
“To be honest, I don’t think I really care,” Keys stated, speaking as if she were in Gauff’s shoes. “Especially if I have won, doesn’t really matter what they say or think. I mean, it’s tough. It’s emotional, and I think sometimes emotions get the best of people.”
This insight from a fellow American player paints a picture of a remarkably composed Coco Gauff, a champion who understands the intense pressures of Grand Slam finals and likely empathizes with the raw emotion that can spill out in defeat. It suggests that while Sabalenka’s apology was a significant gesture, Gauff’s focus was always on the trophy she held, not the words of her opponent.
This revelation highlights Coco Gauff’s evolving maturity and mental toughness. She’s not just a formidable athlete; she’s proving to be incredibly grounded, able to compartmentalize and remain focused on her achievements rather than external noise. As both Gauff and Sabalenka now turn their attention to the grass-court season and Wimbledon, this unexpected display of understanding (or perhaps, indifference) from Gauff suggests that while the competitive fire burns bright, respect, and a keen sense of perspective, remain at the heart of the women’s tour.
