Aryna Sabalenka clarifies controversial Coco Gauff claim: "Can't pretend it was a great day"

Aryna Sabalenka wants to set the record straight following the controversial comments that were made after her Roland Garros final defeat to Coco Gauff.

Taking to her Instagram story Sunday, the world No. 1 reflected on a tough day at the office while recognizing that her opponent rose to the occasion with the cards both competitors were dealt.

"Yesterday was a tough one. Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win. She was the better player yesterday, and I want to give her the credit she earned,” wrote Sabalenka.

Sabalenka was broken nine times during the 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 loss, winning 48 percent of her first-serve points. She also contributed 70 unforced errors, with 39 coming on the backhand side.

"You all know me... I'm always going to be honest and human in how I process these moments. I made over 70 unforced errors, so I can't pretend it was a great day for me. But both things can be true... I didn't play my best, and Coco stepped up and played with poise and purpose.

During her post-match press conference, Sabalenka described her performance as “the worst final I ever played.” But the three-time major winner had also expressed a belief that Iga Swiatek would have defeated Gauff had the three-time defending champion advanced past Sabalenka in their semifinal.

“if Iga would win me another day, I think she would go out today and she would get the win,” Sabalenka declared.

Gauff responded that it wasn’t “a fair thing to say” and had preferred to play Swiatek given her recent 6-1, 6-1 win over the Pole.

“The way Aryna was playing the last few weeks, she was the favorite to win. So I think she was the best person that I could have played in the final,” said Gauff.

“Neither of them would have been the better shot. But it played out how it played out. That’s why I'm here today.”

In her reflection 24 hours later, Sabalenka said of the American, “She earned that title. Respect.”

As for Sabalenka’s next move, the 27-year-old previously shared that her plans to disconnect from tennis would involve a trip to Mykonos full of tequila, gummy bears and swimming.

“Time to rest, learn, and come back stronger."