World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka opens up after her dramatic French Open collapse, revealing thoughts of quitting tennis. The article delves into her fiery on-court personality, personal controversies, her unique approach to managing emotions, and her journey from a 'deep, dark hole' back to the top of the sport.
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka recently experienced a stunning implosion at the French Open quarter-finals against Diana Shnaider, losing 10 consecutive games after being up 6-3, 5-3. This led her to tell the press she 'just want[ed] to quit tennis right now,' admitting she fell into a 'deep, dark hole.' However, less than a month later, ahead of Wimbledon, Sabalenka reflects on the incident, stating she took time to compose herself before the press conference and stands by her candid remarks about the playing conditions. The article highlights her history of emotional outbursts, contrasting her 2024 French Open reaction with her 'ugly, graceless, and disrespectful' comments after losing the 2023 French Open final to Coco Gauff, for which she later apologized to Gauff. Off-court, Sabalenka is described as smiley, funny, and self-aware, a stark contrast to her intense on-court persona, which she attributes partly to her 'Slavic face' and the competitive nature of tennis. Growing up in Minsk, Belarus, in a sporty family, Sabalenka was a clever and active child who found her calling in tennis. The sudden death of her father at 43 deeply impacted her, fueling her ambition to win Grand Slams. Despite her powerful playing style, known for its ferocity and speed, she admits to an ongoing battle with her emotions. She has learned to accept her emotionalism, viewing on-court yelling and racket-throwing as necessary outlets, a strategy discussed with her team to prevent internal destruction. The article also touches on various controversies: the refusal of Ukrainian players to shake hands with her (which she attributes to politics interfering with sport), and her much-criticized 'Battle of the Sexes' match against Nick Kyrgios. Sabalenka defends the Kyrgios match as an attempt to entertain and draw eyes to tennis. Her personal life has also made headlines, from her engagement to Georgios Frangulis to the tragic death of her former partner, Konstantin Koltsov, and the surrounding media attention. Despite these challenges, Sabalenka remains fiercely determined, symbolized by her tiger tattoo. She is committed to fighting, improving, and winning more Grand Slams, firmly stating, 'I’m definitely not quitting.'
