Tennis Star Apologizes for ' Unprofessional' Comments After French Open Loss

Aryna Sabalenka has had more than a week to reflect on her poor showmanship after losing the French Open to Coco Gauff, and the German tennis star is apologizing for her abhorrent behavior.

In an interview with Eurosport Germany (via The Athletic), Sabalenka says that her comments immediately following the loss were completely uncalled for.

“It was just completely unprofessional of me. I let my emotions get the better of me. I absolutely regret what I said back then," said Sabalenka ahead of her first match Wednesday at the German Open. "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 afterwards than other people. But what I also want to say is that I wrote to Coco afterwards — not immediately, but recently."

Sabalenka says she "wanted to apologize and make sure she knew she absolutely deserved to win the tournament and that I respect her." She added, "I never intended to attack her. I was super emotional and not very smart at that press conference.”

Related: Coco Gauff Addresses French Open Opponent’s Comments

Sabalenka, ranked No. 1 in the world, said she lost in the French Open final because of her own and not because Gauff, the No. 2 player in the world, proved it on the court.

"She won the match not because she played incredibly, just because I made all of those mistakes, from if you look from the outside, from easy balls," Sabalenka said in her on-court interview following the match. 

Sabalenka went as far as to say that Iga Świątek would have beaten Gauff in the final. Świątek lost to Sabalenka in the semifinals. 

For her part, Gauff scoffed at the notion and, naturally, said she didn't agree with Sabalenka's take.