The top-ranked tennis star, 27, faced an online backlash after she initially appeared to downplay the second-ranked Gauff’s 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 victory, which marked the first time an American has won a singles title at the French Open since Serena Williams did so in 2015.

Aryna Sabalenka is walking back her comments after losing to Coco Gauff in the French Open. The world No. 1, who battled windy conditions and a light mist in the final against the 21-year-old American, initially told reporters that Gauff “won the match not because she played incredible” but because “I made all of those mistakes.”

Aryna Sabalenka addressed backlash about her Coco Gauff remarks, admitting Gauff 'earned' the French Open victory on Saturday, June 7