Jimmy Connors urges Grand Slam reform after Aryna Sabalenka’s comments on Coco Gauff

Aryna Sabalenka is under scrutiny following her comments about Coco Gauff after the French Open final. Now, tennis legend Jimmy Connors has weighed in, suggesting Grand Slam tournaments need to change how they handle post-match procedures.

Sabalenka, the current world number one, was defeated by Gauff 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4 at Roland Garros. In her on-court speech and later press conference, she referenced both Gauff and Iga Swiatek, sparking a wave of criticism from fans and former players.

This marked Sabalenka’s second Grand Slam final loss of the year. Earlier in January, she fell to Madison Keys 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 at the Australian Open. She had also lost to Gauff in the 2023 US Open final, but this latest defeat appeared to hit her harder than ever before.

That emotional weight was something Jimmy Connors recognised. The former world number one and eight-time Grand Slam champion defended Sabalenka, suggesting that players should be given more space to process tough losses. Drawing on his own experience, including seven runner-up finishes at majors, Connors argued that Grand Slams should rethink how quickly players are asked to speak publicly after a match.

"After a tough match, whether it’s the finals or the French or Wimbledon or whatever, everyone wants to hear your thoughts right away," Connors said on his podcast. "Maybe it would be better to give you five minutes and let the players take a breath.".

Connors criticised the pressure to deliver instant emotional reactions, arguing it can do more harm than good.

"They want the scoop. And then they are critical of it. That’s why it’s always been a crawl in my whatever,” he said. “These guys think they know what they are talking about when they have not done it.".

He explained that each player reacts differently to defeat and that people outside the sport often fail to understand the emotional toll that it takes.

"You can sit there and say I have watched so much tennis I know what’s in your mind. You don’t know what’s in my mind. You have no clue. And by the way, not every player has the same thing going through their mind. Everybody is an individual. So let the players take a breath sometimes.".

Coco Gauff responded to the controversy with calm and maturity. In an interview on Good Morning America, the American said she had been surprised by Sabalenka’s comments but chose not to escalate the situation.

"I was a little bit surprised about the comments and everything," Gauff said. "But I’m gonna give her the benefit of the doubt. I’m sure it was an emotional day, emotional match. I know she was probably a bit emotional after that match and it was a tough loss.".

They are both entered into the Berlin Open and could meet again if they reach the final. After that, the focus will shift to Wimbledon, where Sabalenka will be the top seed ahead of Gauff.

As emotional post-match moments become more frequent, Jimmy Connors' suggestion for a short pause before interviews may offer a simple way to protect athletes while still preserving the spirit of the sport.