At a recent press conference following the Italian Open, Aryna Sabalenka, the current world number 1 in women’s tennis, made some statements that have generated considerable controversy. Referring to Cori Gauff’s victory over Zheng Qinwen, Sabalenka stated that the win was due more to luck than to Gauff’s effort or talent.

These words quickly provoked an immediate reaction from Cori Gauff, who expressed her indignation and defended herself firmly. “I’ve trained really hard to get here,” Gauff declared, visibly upset. “Just because Aryna is world number 1 doesn’t give her the right to belittle the work and results of others.”

Gauff’s response has been widely discussed on social media and in specialized media, where many have supported her position and highlighted the importance of recognizing individual effort in professional sports.

This exchange has sparked a debate about respect among athletes, competitiveness, and the pressure faced by promising young players on the women’s tour. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka has not commented further on the matter, but the incident remains one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament.

It remains to be seen how this tension between two of the most prominent figures in women’s tennis will develop in the upcoming matches.