PARIS (AP) — While Coco Gauff was taking selfies on Court Philippe-Chatrier to celebrate her triumph on the Parisian clay, her opponent on the other side of the umpire’s chair was filled with anger and sadness.
As Roland-Garros officials prepared the court for the trophy ceremony, Aryna Sabalenka sat with her gaze lost in the distance before she took a towel and covered her face. And when it finally came time to speak, Sabalenka was silent for a long moment, as if on the verge of tears.
The assessment of her own performance, when she finally took the microphone to address the Roland-Garros crowd, was ruthless.
“Honestly guys, this one hurts so much," she said. “To show such terrible tennis in the final does really hurt.”
The top-ranked Sabalenka won the first set as her high-risk a