Aryna Sabalenka has apologised for comments she made to Coco Gauff after losing the French Open women’s singles final a fortnight ago, Afrosport reports.
The Belarussian, from a set ahead, lost the match in three sets 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 4-6 to hand Gauff her second Grand Slam title and first at Roland Garros.
Speaking after the match, Sabalenka called the match the worst she has ever played and claimed Gauff won the match not because she was good but because of the mistakes from the world number one.
The 27-year-old however walked back on those comments ahead of this week’s German Open in Berlin.
“That was just completely unprofessional of me. I let my emotions get the better of me,” she told Eurosport Germany.
“I absolutely regret what I said back then. You know, we all make mistakes. I’m just a human being who’s still learning in life.
“I think we all have those days when we lose control. The difference with me is, the world is watching. I get a lot more hate for what I did than other people.”
She added: “I was super emotional and not very smart at that press conference.
“It took me a while to revisit it, to approach it with open eyes, and to understand. I realised a lot about myself. Why did I lose so many finals? I kept getting so emotional.
“So I learned a lot. Above all, one thing: I’m the one who always treats my opponents with great respect - whether I win or lose. Without that respect, I wouldn’t be where I am today. So it was a tough but very instructive lesson for me.”
Sabalenka is the number one seed in Berlin and could once again face second seed Gauff in the final.
Both ladies previously met in the Madrid Open final with Sabalenka coming out on top in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).
