Coco Gauff said Aryna Sabalenkasuggested that she would have lost the Open of France The final at Iga Swiatek was not “fair” after the American won her first title of Roland Garros by defeating the world n ° 1.
In difficult and winding conditions, Gauff fought in a whole To defeat Sabalenka 6-7 6-2 6-4 And won his second Grand Chelem title on the clay of Paris. However, an unhappy Sabalenka criticized her own performance, in which she made 70 uncomposed mistakes, and said: “It was the worst final that I have ever played”.
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Sabalenka had defeated Swiatek in the semi-finalsTo put an end to the 26 games of the pole in Roland Garros, but could not do the work when she lost against Gauff for her second final defeat of the Grand Slam in a row.
Sabalenka has now lost two Grand Slam finals in Gauff after the US 2023 Open (Getty Images)
“It hurts,” said Sabalenka. “Especially when you played a very good tennis throughout the week, when you have played against many tough opponents, Olympic champion (Qinwen Zheng), Iga, then you go out, and you play really badly.
“As I think Iiga … I think she would go out today and that she would get victory. It hurts. Honestly, I hurt. I played very well, then in the last match, go there and play as I did, it’s injured.”
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To add to an extraordinary press conference, Sabalenka added: “She hit the tank ball. Magicly, the ball lands on the ground.
Sabalenka also said: “I think she won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all these mistakes.”
Sabalenka after his defeat against Coco Gauff in the final (AP)
Gauff said that even if she respected Sabalenka and Swiatek, she could not agree with Sabalenka’s assessment and said she had done a better job to deal with the conditions.
“I mean, I do not agree with this,” replied Gauff by comparing during his press conference alongside the French Open trophy. “I am sitting here (as a champion).
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“No shadow in Iga or anything, but the last time I played it, I won in two sets. I don’t think it’s just a just to say, because everything can really happen.
“The way Aryna has been playing in recent weeks, she was the favorite to win. So I think she was the best person I could have played in the final.
“His n ° 1 being in the world was the best person to play, so I think I had the most difficult match if you make statistics alone.”
Gauff embraces the Suzanne Lenglen coupé, his second title of simple Grand Chelem (Getty Images)
Gauff explained how she adjusted her game and managed the conditions to add to her Triumph of Open 2023 US, who also came against Sabalenka.
“It was super hard when I walked in the field and we felt the wind because we warm up with the closed roof,” said Gauff. “I was, like” it’s going to be a difficult day “.
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“I knew it was going to be on the will and the mind. It was really about the last points, but overall, I am really really satisfied with the fight that I succeeded today. It was not pretty, but that did the work, and that’s all that matters.”
Sabalenka, who also underwent a painful defeat against Madison Keys During the Australian Open final in January, said that she did not intend to review the final and will go on vacation in Greece for “tequila, gum and swimming”.
“No, no, I have already reserved a flight to mykonos and alcohol, sugar,” said Sabalenka. “I just need a few days to completely forget this crazy world and this crazy – if I could swear, I would swear right now – but this crazy thing that happened today.
“I think everyone understands. I’m just trying to be very polite right now, but you know, there is no other word, which could describe what has just happened today on the field. But yes, Tequila, Gummy Bears, and I don’t know, swim, be like the tourist for a few days.”