Sabalenka admits: My behavior was unprofessional after the final!

Sabalenka admits: My behavior was unprofessional after the final!

On June 16, 2025, the highly anticipated French Open final between Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff took place. Gauff, the young American, held her own in a thrilling match and won her first title at the French Open. The final score was 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-4. Sabalenka, who entered the final as world number one, had a strong starting position but was unable to maintain the lead and betrayed her frustration after the game.

After her defeat, Sabalenka said in an interview that she felt the final was “the worst final I have ever played”. These words led to significant criticism of her behavior. In an interview with “Eurosport” she then appeared remorseful and described her comments as “absolutely unprofessional”. She explained that her emotions got the better of her and expressed regret over her words. She also apologized to Gauff, to whom she fully credited her with winning the tournament.

Emotional rollercoaster in the finale

The match itself was characterized by changing moods and intense moves. Sabalenka started strong and led 4-1 in the first set but eventually lost the tie-break. In the second set, Gauff was the superior and benefited from 19 unforced errors from her opponent. The third set saw another turning point when Gauff scored the decisive preliminary decision after a double fault from Sabalenka. Emotions boiled over during the victory ceremony, in which both players were visibly moved.

Coco Gauff was able to build on her performance on the court after losing to Iga Swiatek in the 2022 final. With this new experience and the victory behind her, Gauff expressed confidence and reflected on her career in tennis so far.

Mental strength in tennis

What happened in the final also sheds light on the challenges athletes face in tennis. Sports psychology plays an important role, especially in pressure situations such as a Grand Slam final. Players must be able to quickly process setbacks and refocus mentally. Tennis players often struggle with mental problems, which can manifest themselves in nervousness, lack of concentration or a lack of self-confidence.

• Rückschläge in Matches schnell verarbeiten
• Mentale Techniken zur Bewältigung von Drucksituationen
• Entspannungstechniken und Zielsetzungstraining zur Verbesserung der Leistung

Developing mental toughness can start at a young age. Techniques like keeping a positive diary or watching successful matches can help boost confidence and promote the right mental attitude. Supportive programs, such as those offered by Swiss Tennis, can support athletes in their mental development.

Overall, what happened in the French final in 2025 shows both the exceptional abilities of the players and the complexity of the mental challenges in tennis. Gauff's triumph and Sabalenka's honest reflection on her defeat are impressive evidence of how emotionality and psychological resilience can influence the game.

For more information on the results and progress of the tournament, you can view the detailed coverage on LAOLA1 and Sporting News read up. In addition, offers Sports psychology valuable insight into the challenges faced by tennis players.