Aryna Sabalenka burst into tears as she attempted to give her runner-up speech after losing the French Open final. The world No. 1 collapsed after losing a brutal 80-minute set and started venting towards her box before suffering a 6-7 6-2 6-4 defeat to Coco Gauff, and said she was “hurt” by her performance.

The 27-year-old tipped her head back and started crying when she was given the microphone and fought back tears as she addressed the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd. Sabalenka is known for her hilarious speeches and often makes fun of her team. But, after a heartbreaking loss, she could only apologise to her coaching camp.

“Obviously guys, this one hurts so much, especially after such a tough two weeks, playing great tennis,” Sabalenka said, choking back sobs.

“To show such terrible tennis in the final really hurts. Anyway, congrats Coco, you were a better player than me.

“Well done on a great two weeks and a second Grand Slam, well deserved, You are a fighter and a hard worker so congrats to you and your team.”

The three-time Grand Slam champion thanked the crowd and tournament director Amelie Mauresmo before paying tribute to Justine Henin, the four-time champion here who presented the trophies.

And she could only apologise to her coaching team, which includes Anton Dubrov and Jason Stacy, after blasting her own level and ranting at them throughout the second and third sets.

Speaking through tears again, Sabalenka added: “Thank you my team for your support. I’m sorry for this terrible final. Anyway, thank you everyone. As always, I’ll come back stronger.”

It’s the second time this season that Sabalenka has lost a tight Grand Slam final. The world No. 1 suffered defeat to Madison Keys at the Australian Open in January, and she has now missed her chance to get her hands on a maiden Roland Garros trophy.

The Belarusian struggled in the blustery conditions on the French Open centre court throughout the afternoon and had to abandon her service motion multiple times in the opening set. And she failed to capitalise on a break-back point in the final game of the match.

But retired tennis legend Lindsay Davenport thought Sabalenka’s emotional outbursts cost her, rather than a “terrible” performance.

The former world No. 1 told TNT Sports: “Ultimately it cost Sabalenka. She expended so much energy, getting upset, looking at her camp, frustrated with herself.

“On the other side of the net, Coco gave off zero emotional energy. She went out there, ‘I’m not going to let anything bother me, I’m going to be very steady’.

“Aryna, it was shades of a couple of years ago when emotions would get the better of her. A lot of us thought maybe she was past that, being No. 1 and getting all those Grand Slam titles but it all kind of came out here.”