World number two Coco Gauff has addressed Aryna Sabalenka`s statements concerning the potential outcome of the Roland Garros final had Iga Swiatek been her opponent.
Following her defeat in the final, Sabalenka suggested during her press conference that if she had lost to Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals, the Pole “would have gone out today and taken the trophy.”
Gauff, holding the winner`s trophy, responded to being asked about Sabalenka`s comment. She stated she couldn`t agree with the assertion that Swiatek would have won the final, pointing to her own recent straight-sets victory over Swiatek in the Madrid semi-final as a reason why such a statement felt unfair.
Gauff also emphasized that, given Sabalenka`s exceptional performance over the preceding couple of weeks, Aryna, as the world number one and the favourite, represented the most challenging possible opponent she could have faced in the final.
While acknowledging that a final against multiple Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek would undoubtedly have been very difficult as well, Gauff candidly admitted that if asked hypothetically who she would have preferred to play, she might have chosen Swiatek. This was not because one opponent was necessarily easier, but rather due to Sabalenka`s spectacular form leading up to the final. The key, according to Gauff, was her ability to perform at a level sufficient to secure the victory regardless of the tough opponent.
Separately, Coco Gauff also touched upon understanding Sabalenka`s emotional state during the final, noting, “I kind of understood what she was going through. I was getting mad too.”
