Rick Macci reacted to Aryna Sabalenka's French Open final comments about Coco Gauff in a cheeky manner as Serena Williams' childhood coach pretty much told the Belarusian that there was no need for the American to play that well when she had an opponent who was making mistakes left and right.
After Gauff mounted a 6-7 (5) 6-2 6-4 French Open final comeback, the top-seeded Belarusian - who committed 70 unforced errors - dropped a stunning statement.
"I think she won the match not because she played incredible. Just because I made all of those mistake," Sabalenka said.
The world No. 1 also added: "I think if Iga would win at me the other day, I think she would go out today, and she would get the win. It's just... (laughs). It just hurts, honestly."
Macci to Sabalenka: Gauff didn't need to play incredible because you made all those mistakes
The criticism came pouring in the Sabalenka's way after she threw shade at Gauff. But Macci had a different approach to the world No. 1 's comments - instead of directly criticizing her - he confirmed that the Belarusian's statement made sense but only because her performance was as poor.
"Sabalenka said Coco did not win the match because she played incredible but because I made all those mistakes. She was close to right. Coco did not have to play incredible because you made all those mistakes," Macci wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Gauff shut down the Belarusian tennis star's claims that she won only because of her errors.
But most importantly for the American, she now has two Grand Slam titles - three months after turning 21.
