Sabalenka’s Disappointment After French Open Final
In the aftermath of her French Open final defeat to Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka expressed deep disappointment, calling her performance the “worst final I ever played.” The world number one faced an uphill battle during the match, ultimately losing with scores of 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, and 6-4. This encounter marked her second consecutive Grand Slam final loss, as she had previously been defeated by Madison Keys at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Uncharacteristic Struggles and Unforced Errors
The final match, held at the prestigious Roland Garros from May 25 to June 8, saw Sabalenka display uncharacteristic struggles, yielding a staggering 70 unforced errors, a record for women’s singles at this year’s event.
“It hurt to show such terrible tennis,”
Sabalenka lamented, acknowledging that her own mistakes contributed significantly to the outcome. Reflecting on the match, she noted,
“I was overemotional and didn’t really handle myself well. It’s frustrating to face such challenges in an important match.”
Struggles Under Pressure
Despite taking an early lead in the first set at 4-1 and holding a 40-0 advantage, Sabalenka faltered under the pressure of windy conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier. Her inability to find her rhythm against Gauff, who demonstrated remarkable athleticism, proved detrimental.
Shift in Tone and Future Plans
Previously known for her light-hearted comments in press conferences, Sabalenka’s tone shifted to a somber one as she publicly apologized to her team for her showing, visibly moved by the situation.
“Honestly, sometimes it felt like I was playing against an unseen force,”
she remarked, referring to the surreal nature of her performance.
Sabalenka’s tournament journey included impressive victories, including a significant win over three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals. However, the sting of losing to Gauff in two Grand Slam finals, particularly after having previously defeated her in Madrid just before the French Open, will linger.
As she turns her sights towards Wimbledon, where the grass courts may better suit her powerful playstyle, she plans to take a short vacation to clear her mind.
“I already have a flight booked to Mykonos. I just need a couple of days to forget about this crazy world and enjoy the tourist life,”
she said.
Looking Ahead
Greg Rusedski, a former British number one and tennis analyst, highlighted Sabalenka’s continued potential, emphasizing the importance for her to find calm in crucial moments during matches. His insights suggest that if Sabalenka can adjust her strategy for Wimbledon, she stands a strong chance of success going forward.
This year’s French Open highlights the intense competition in women’s tennis, with young talents like Gauff making significant strides, while Sabalenka aims to reclaim her momentum in the upcoming grass season.
