Aryna Sabalenka has had to face scorching criticism in light of her comments about after downplaying her win in the French Open final. The 21-year-old American was in scintillating form on Sunday as she defeated the world No. 1 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-4 to claim her maiden title at Roland Garros.

Sabalenka's post-match comments caused a swirl in the world as she claimed if Iga Swiatek - who she knocked out in the semi-finals - had made what would have been a fourth consecutive final in Paris, she would have defeated Gauff. While the , it didn't leave her immune to others hitting back at her for her behaviour. It was Rennae Stubbs, the ex-coach of Serena Williams, who was one of the notable critics of Sabalenka, arguing her media comments were "so bad" regardless of her online apology that came a day later. "I love Sabalenka, but I don't know anymore," the 54-year-old said.

"Like, it took her 24 hours after that to write an apology, essentially, on . But I'm like, girlfriend. No. That was so bad, and there's no excuses for it. Like, there's just none. No, no, no. And that's coming from me who, as I said, I've said some stuff in press. Like, you never take it away from your opponent."

Gauff was made aware of Sabalenka's initial comments after hoisting the trophy and over her claim that Swiatek would have defeated her in the final. "I mean, I don't agree with that. I'm here sitting here," she laughed.

Given she dominated four-time French Open champion Swiatek 6-1 6-1 at the Madrid Open last month, the American made sure to bring up her heavy win over the Pole, adding: "Last time I played - no shade to Iga or anything, but I played her and I won in straight sets. Yeah, I don't think that's a fair thing to say, because anything can really happen.

"Yeah, honestly the way Aryna was playing the last few weeks, she was the favourite to win. So I think she was the best person that I could have played in the final. Her being No. 1 in the world was the best person to play, so I think I got the hardest matchup just if you go off stats alone."

Gauff showed her class when later responding to Sabalenka's post-final comments, admitting she realises it was an emotional day for the three-time major winner. "I mean after that I was a little bit surprised about the comments and everything, but I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt," she said. "I'm sure it was just an emotional day, an emotional match, and every time I play Aryna, she's a fighter.

"She's a tough opponent. I think we're like 6-5 in the head-to-head, so it's very close." Not everyone had the same reaction to Sabalenka, who found herself on the receiving end from a brutal slam by The Real Housewives of New York TV star Ubah Hassan. She commented on a video of the tennis star's comments, saying: "No mistake was made, darling your lip filler just got in the way of your vision.??????"