Unpacking Aryna Sabalenka’s Struggles: The Hidden Factors Behind Her French Open Final Performance

Roland Garros, Paris – Post-Match Reflections

Aryna Sabalenka faced a tough defeat in the French Open final against Coco Gauff. After a match that ended 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4, Sabalenka didn’t hold back her feelings. She called her performance “terrible” and claimed it was the worst tennis she had played in months. “It’s just a joke,” she said, reflecting her disbelief and frustration.

During her on-court interview, she skipped the usual polite congratulations to focus on her disappointment. With tears welling up, she admitted, “This will hurt so much. I played great tennis for two weeks, but today, it was terrible.” Despite this, she did acknowledge Gauff’s skill, noting, “You were the better player today.”

In her press conference, she shifted her focus to the weather. “The conditions were terrible,” she stated. With high winds affecting gameplay, she struggled to adapt. This marked her second consecutive Grand Slam final loss, both as a favorite. Just five months ago, she lost to Madison Keys in Melbourne.

Sabalenka had an alarming 70 unforced errors, significantly outnumbering her 37 winners. This mismatch highlighted how external factors like the weather and Gauff’s performance contributed to her struggles. While she expected to dominate, she felt overwhelmed, comparing this final to her previous encounter with Gauff at the U.S. Open two years ago.

Sabalenka felt Gauff capitalized on her mistakes. She remarked that Gauff’s shots seemed to come out of nowhere, calling it a “joke.” However, the truth is that Gauff played brilliantly, focusing on defense and taking advantage of Sabalenka’s errors.

Despite this, Gauff pushed back against Sabalenka’s comments, stating that anything could happen on any given day. Gauff’s strategic play paid off, as she utilized her strengths—court coverage and defense—effectively in spite of the challenges posed by the windy conditions.

This season has been complicated for Sabalenka. While she remains the top player in the world, recent losses in high-stakes matches raise questions about her performance under pressure. Historically, tennis has seen many greats struggle with similar issues. Even champions like Serena Williams have faced challenges with consistency during critical matches.

Sabalenka’s post-match reflections revealed a pattern: she often chastises herself when things go wrong. This relentless drive for perfection can sometimes hinder her ability to accept losses gracefully. Her performance coach, Jason Stacy, emphasized the importance of managing stress and anxiety during matches. "Don’t fight it, don’t feed it," he advised, suggesting that understanding and overcoming one’s emotions can lead to improvement.

After the match, Sabalenka planned to take a break in Mykonos. She noted, “I just need a couple of days to completely forget about this crazy world.” While she aims to recharge, it’s evident that this loss will linger.

As tennis evolves, so do the pressures athletes face. How Sabalenka learns to handle these pressures will shape her future performances. Even the best players must navigate the ups and downs of the sport, and finding balance will be crucial for her success moving forward.

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