Less than a month after declaring she was finished with tennis following a devastating loss at the French Open, world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka is reflecting on the pressures of the professional game. The 28-year-old athlete, known as much for her fierce playing style as for her emotional volatility, admits that her quarter-final exit against Diana Shnaider was one of the most significant collapses of her career. Despite leading 6-3, 5-3 in the second set, Sabalenka suffered a total breakdown, eventually losing 10 consecutive games due to a mix of unfavorable weather conditions and internal struggles.
Addressing the press after the match, a shocked Sabalenka admitted she felt like quitting. She clarified that her outburst was an honest reaction to the chaotic environment, specifically pointing to the tournament organizers’ refusal to close the roof during intense wind. She maintains that she did not intend to be rude to her opponent, but rather vented her frustration regarding the conditions. This incident followed her previous high-profile outburst at the 2023 French Open, where she expressed regret for disrespectful remarks made after losing to Coco Gauff, for which she later personally apologized.
Sabalenka acknowledges that her intense on-court demeanor, which includes screaming and racket smashing, often leads observers to misjudge her personality. She notes that her Slavic features and stern expression can make her appear unapproachable, a misconception she laughs off once people get to know her. She draws a sharp distinction between her competitive nature on the court and her life off the court, emphasizing that she uses the match environment as a necessary outlet for her aggression.
Growing up in Minsk, Belarus, as an active and spirited child, Sabalenka started tennis at age six after her father, Sergey, discovered the sport. She recalls her upbringing as generally positive, though she acknowledges the harsh environment of local coaching. She eventually shifted her focus entirely to tennis, driven by a desire to win. Following the tragic, sudden death of her father in 2019, she channeled her grief into a pursuit of Grand Slam titles, eventually winning multiple majors including the Australian and US Opens.
Currently, Sabalenka is focused on the upcoming Wimbledon tournament. She remains committed to managing her emotions, admitting that her intensity is an ongoing battle. Regarding the controversies surrounding her nationality and the war in Ukraine, she expresses a strong desire for peace and believes that politics should remain separate from sport. Despite recent speculation following a high-profile exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios, she insists that she remains fully dedicated to her professional tennis career and has no intention of retiring from the sport.
