"Be careful what you say" - Aryna Sabalenka gets brutal warning from Coco Gauff admirer & ex-WNBA pro Lisa Leslie for French Open comments

The drama between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka at the 2025 French Open keeps getting fresh takes every day, and the latest to weigh in is Lisa Leslie. She is a former basketball star, known for her time with the WNBA's LA Sparks, and now works as a sports analyst.

Sabalenka’s loss to Gauff at Roland Garros nearly a week ago was one of her toughest in recent memory, marked by a staggering 70 unforced errors. She later said the defeat was due to her own “terrible” form, not because her opponent played exceptionally well.

The Belarusian also boldly claimed that if Iga Swiatek had made it to the final instead of her, the Pole would’ve beaten Gauff. Her comments sparked immediate backlash, and now Leslie has joined the chorus of voices calling her out.

While discussing Coco Gauff’s win on CBS Sports’ We Need To Talk, Leslie didn’t hold back and strongly criticized Aryna Sabalenka. She said the World No. 1 deserves the repercussions she’s getting, adding that she should’ve thought twice before speaking.

“We all have heard the comments from Sabalenka,” she said. “Her negativity, talking about Coco wasn't better than her, that Coco didn't beat her, that she lost the match because of her errors. I just want to say, when you mess with the bull, you get the horns. Sabalenka was so wrong.”

The two-time WNBA champion had a message for Gauff, saying the entire country is standing with her. She also warned Sabalenka and others to be cautious with their words when discussing her compatriot in the future.

"I just want Coco to know, as we all have shared and shown our love, that we in America support you,” Lisa Leslie said. “We are happy, and we thank you for the way you carry yourself with such class and grace. And for all the other players, be careful what you say, cause we are coming back after you. You don't get a chance to take down our hero.”

Leslie didn’t stop there as she had a lot more to say about the incident and even brought Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina into the conversation.

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Lisa Leslie claims Iga Swiatek & Elena Rybakina have also mistreated Coco Gauff in the past

Coco Gauff pictured at the 2025 French Open | Image Source: Getty

Lisa Leslie went all in while talking about Coco Gauff’s French Open win on CBS Sports’ We Need To Talk. Besides calling out Aryna Sabalenka, she also named Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina, claiming all three have mistreated Gauff in the past without any valid reason.

Leslie said:

"These women have come at her, whether it has been Sabalenka, Iga, or Rybakina, they have made comments. Even when Coco was actually No. 3 in the world, they talked about them being the 'Big 3.' So every turn she has to face not just her opponent, but the ridicule from her colleagues who should be supportive.

"Listen, you are playing against an American, who's our top American, have some respect and lose with class. I just feel like it's not right for them to try and depict her as someone who, 'She's only barely winning because we are not playing our best.' Guess what? We all lace up, and you got to play your best if it's a championship, and we all get there on championship day, you still got to play your best," she said.

The 52-year-old then praised Gauff for her maturity, applauding the way she always takes the “high road” no matter what’s thrown at her:

"I was at the French Open. She worked so hard every single match to get to the final and I just love the fact that she has not only the will to win, the fight to win. What I loved also is how she just takes the high road no matter what."