Coco Gauff is proving herself to be a role model in everything she does. The 21-year-old is responding to Aryna Sabalenka’s comments, where the opponent minimized Coco’s performance right after the match.
When she spoke on Good Morning America a day after her win, Gauff answered in a calm and respectful manner.
After that match, I believe she was a bit sad since it was a tough loss for her. Even though I was a bit shocked by what was said, I wish to believe her positive intentions. I’m sure both teams and fans felt a lot of emotions during the game.
The Event Itself and the Comments After
Gauff won her second Grand Slam title ever and first on red clay at Roland-Garros by beating Sabalenka in a three-set encounter: 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4. Having the roof open made the game harder for both players since the wind kept blowing, making it tricky to make good shots.
Sabalenka was not happy in the press conference and refused to accept Gauff’s win, saying:
I believe she won the match due to my errors, not really because she played especially well from easy shots.
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Sabalenka’s comment was soon all over the news, as many people criticized her for not respecting Gauff’s effort in winning.
The Belarusian star later changed her position, posting on Instagram that Gauff “dealt with the conditions well” and played with a lot of purpose.
Gauff said, “I Had to Push Her to Play Like That”
However, Gauff didn’t let what others said get in the way of her achievement. While admitting how difficult it was for Sabalenka, she also explained that her win was a result of her own effort.
Gauff mentioned that her opponent is both tough and resilient. Nevertheless, I had to convince her to perform these maneuvers and make a lot of balls to place them inside the court.
According to the American star, the situation was very tough because both players had practiced with the roof closed beforehand.
When I realized it was open, I noticed how much the wind was blowing, so I knew it was going to be a tough win. That’s just the way tennis is.
Realized and Manifested — A Dream
Gauff’s victory at the French Open is a big achievement for the young tennis player.
She now has two Grand Slam titles, having won the U.S. Open last year and Roland-Garros in 2023, and she is the first American woman to win Roland-Garros since Serena Williams in 2015.
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In the interview, Gauff explained that she had imagined and noted down this victory as a goal for herself.
”I never imagined winning a tournament before in my life, and that was the only time I ever dreamt about it,” she stated. I always felt that this tournament just needed to exist.
Right before going out for the final, she told herself to keep that goal in mind.
This was one of the things I said to myself right before I turned away.
What’s Next? Wimbledon is being watched by many fans.
Even in the middle of all the excitement, Gauff is already set on looking forward to Wimbledon, which will start on June 30.
Most people have advised her to rest and absorb the whole experience, and then be ready to go back to work when she needs to.
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However, I always keep thinking about the future. I am all set to practice for the Wimbledon tournament and make that happen.
At the same time, Gauff is relaxing and enjoying this win, which came from battling, staying calm, and showing her class, both in the tournament and beyond.