Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam singles champion, has lost both of the major finals she has reached this year.
She lost to Madison Keys in the Australian Open final, where she was two-time defending champion, before the defeat by Gauff.
She committed 70 unforced errors against Gauff, one of the best defenders on the women’s tour, and struggled to keep her composure.
“I was super emotional and not very smart at that press conference,” Sabalenka added.
“It took me a while to revisit it, to approach it with open eyes and to understand.
“I realised a lot about myself. Why did I lose so many finals? I kept getting so emotional.
“So it was a tough but very instructive lesson for me.”
Sabalenka begins her grass-court season at the Berlin Open, where she is the top seed, before Wimbledon gets under way on 30 June.