Madison Keys issues verdict amid ongoing Coco Gauff-Aryna Sabalenka French Open fallout

Oli Dickson Jefford 15 Jun 2025 9:28 AM

Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Madison Keys.

Madison Keys believes that Coco Gauff will not “care” about the ongoing fallout from comments made by Aryna Sabalenka after the French Open final.

World No 2 Gauff battled from a set down to beat world No 1 Sabalenka 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 in an enthralling match at Roland Garros, lifting her second Grand Slam singles title.

However, the match has been partially overshadowed by comments made by Sabalenka in the aftermath of her defeat.

The three-time Grand Slam champion initially apologised to the crowd for her performance in her post-match speech on court, while congratulating Gauff for her victory.

But, in her press conference, Sabalenka then claimed that her unforced errors had been key to the final, and that Iga Swiatek, whom she beat in the semi-final, would have beaten Gauff.

Sabalenka later clarified her comments and gave credit to Gauff, though the world No 1 has continued to face criticism over the past week.

Criticism has been particularly notable in the US, where Gauff has been making several TV and media appearances since her historic triumph.

The 21-year-old handed Sabalenka her second Grand Slam final defeat of 2025, after the Belarusian was beaten by Keys in the Australian Open final.

Competing at the Queen’s Club this week, Keys was asked how she would have responded should Sabalenka or any opponent have made similar comments about a final she had played in.

In response, the 30-year-old claimed that she would not “really care” – and expressed her belief that Gauff would feel the same way.

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“To be honest, I don’t think I would really care, especially if I had won, no matter what they say or think,” said Keys.

“It’s tough. It’s a complicated, emotional moment, and I think sometimes emotions bring everything out of people. Things are said in a way and not necessarily meant seriously.

“Other times, you feel very disappointed with yourself because you haven’t played at the level you expected. I think sometimes it’s hard to overcome those moments, especially if you have a microphone in front of you.

“Sometimes we say things we later regret. Again, I don’t think Coco would care.”

Sabalenka and Gauff are set to return to action at the Berlin Tennis Open this week, with the pair the top two seeds, and once again projected to meet in the final.

Both have received a bye in the opening round of action, with Sabalenka set to face a qualifier and Gauff facing either a qualifier or Daria Kasatkina.

Sabalenka reached the quarter-final of the event last year before retiring with a shoulder injury, ultimately pulling out of Wimbledon, while Gauff reached the last four before falling to Jessica Pegula.

Gauff could again face compatriot Pegula in Berlin this summer, with the defending champion seeded third at the WTA 500 event and projected to face the world No 2 in the semi-final.

Keys is the seventh seed at the tournament and begins her campaign against former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.

She is projected to face fourth seed Jasmine Paolini in the quarter-final, and is on the same side of the draw as Sabalenka.