Audio By Carbonatix
Aryna Sabalenka says she wrote to Coco Gauff to apologise for her "completely unprofessional" remarks after the American beat her in the French Open final.
World number one Sabalenka put in an error-strewn performance in a 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-4 loss to Gauff earlier this month.
The Belarusian said afterwards it was the "worst final I ever played", adding: "I think she won the match not because she played incredible [but] just because I made all of those mistakes."
Speaking 10 days on from the Paris final, Sabalenka said she "absolutely regretted" her remarks.
"That was just completely unprofessional of me. I let my emotions get the better of me," the 27-year-old told Eurosport Germany., external
"I'm just a human being who's still learning in life. I think we all have those days when we lose control.
"I wrote to Coco afterwards - not immediately, but recently."
Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam singles champion, has lost both of the major finals she has reached this year.
She lost to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final, where she was two-time defending champion, before the defeat by Gauff.
She committed 70 unforced errors against Gauff, one of the best defenders on the women's tour, and struggled to keep her composure.
"I was super emotional and not very smart at that press conference," Sabalenka added.
"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 it was a tough but very instructive lesson for me."
Sabalenka begins her grass-court season at the Berlin Open, where she is the top seed, before Wimbledon gets under way on 30 June.
Latest Stories
-
Moody’s maintains Ghana’s rating at Caa1, revises outlook to positive
27 minutes -
Zambia elevates tourism education to national priority as President Hichilema backs continental summit
1 hour -
Activa promotes credit insurance to boost SME export growth
1 hour -
ILTM Africa 2026 opens doors to inbound and outbound luxury travel in Cape TownÂ
1 hour -
“BP Soul Travel and Tours scored the highest marks” – Sports Minister Kofi Adams endorses agency for World Cup travel
1 hour -
‘At the age of 12, I was teaching people and collecting money from them’ – Forty Under 40 Awards
3 hours -
I broke my virginity at the age of 26 after university – Richard Abbey Jnr.
4 hours -
Sacked for fees, saved by faith: The untold story of Forty Under 40 Awards founder Richard Abbey Jnr
4 hours -
GCB Bank surges GH¢0.45, ETI gains GH¢0.06 as GSE ends week higher
5 hours -
Two teens jailed 55 years for robbery
5 hours -
UDS demands apology for MPhil student wrongly branded as Tamale robber
6 hours -
“We don’t sell fish!” – Tema Shipyard CEO hits back over dead fish discovery
6 hours -
Sam George defends anti-LGBTQ+ Bill as ‘national priority’ amid debate over gov’t focus
7 hours -
Artemis II astronauts safely back on Earth after trip around moon
7 hours -
Sam George unveils massive 1,150-cell site rollout to end network woes
8 hours