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
-
‘I couldn’t stay silent’ – Nicki Minaj speaks out on attacks on Christians in Nigeria
37 minutes -
Liverpool striker Isak suffers broken leg
56 minutes -
CRC proposes new petition-led process for removal of Chief Justice
1 hour -
Foreign Minister Ablakwa takes Nana Agyei Ahyia case to Latvia, vows full accountability
1 hour -
AFCON 2025: Salah seals late win for Egypt over Zimbabwe
1 hour -
Carney names ex-Blackrock executive as new US ambassador
2 hours -
CRC proposes 10-year single term and new removal process for Chief Justice
2 hours -
Salah scores late winner as Egypt come from behind to beat Zimbabwe
2 hours -
France rushes emergency budget law to avert shutdown after talks collapse
2 hours -
US conducting surveillance flights over Nigeria after Trump intervention threat
2 hours -
Ecuador soldiers sentenced to decades in prison over disappearance of murdered boys
3 hours -
Trump pulls 30 envoys in ‘America First’ push, critics say it weakens US abroad
3 hours -
The 17-hour miracle: Black Sherif beats logistical marathon to pull off historic Zaama Disco 2025
3 hours -
NPP Primaries: Electoral area coordinators in Ada, Sege declare support for Bawumia
4 hours -
PSG marks 90 years with Maiden Dinner and Awards Night
4 hours
