Aryna Sabalenka 'dealing with several things' in worrying US Open admission
Aryna Sabalenka 'dealing with several things' in worrying US Open admission
Matthew NeschisSat, August 29, 2026 at 10:35 PM UTC
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Aryna Sabalenka admitted she was 'dealing with several things' in recent months -Credit:Getty Images
Aryna Sabalenka pulled back the curtain on her recent struggles, admitting she was "dealing with several things" that hindered her performance on the court.
Sabalenka began 2026 with a blistering start during the first three months, claiming three titles from four main draws, including the "Sunshine Double" at Indian Wells and Miami. She came tantalizingly close to capturing the Australian Open as well, eventually losing to Elena Rybakina in the final despite winning the second set and holding a 3-0 advantage in the decider.
However, Sabalenka has failed to replicate similar success since, with her fitness coach revealing ahead of the US Open that the 28-year-old’s biggest strength can also be her greatest weakness.
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In June, Sabalenka seemed to have a straightforward path to her first French Open title, but was eliminated in the quarterfinals after dropping 10 consecutive games to Diana Shnaider.
One month later, Sabalenka lost to Naomi Osaka in the Round of 16 at Wimbledon, representing her first straight-set loss at a major in almost six years.
Most recently, Sabalenka fell to Sara Bejlek, 7–6, (7–9), 6–4, in the round of 16 at the Cincinnati Open, marking her seventh-straight tournament in which she failed to reach a final.
Speaking to reporters in Flushing Meadows, Sabalenka insisted that she was ready to put this stretch of inconsistent play behind her. “That’s the beauty of the sport. Throw tough challenges at me, I will come back only stronger,” she said.
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Aryna Sabalenka has failed to reach a final at seven consecutive tournaments -Credit:Getty Images
“It wasn’t the best period. I don’t want to defend myself. But obviously, I just don’t want to talk about that period.
“I’ve been dealing with several things. But who cares, right? I didn’t perform my best.”
Immediately after her latest heartbreaks at Grand Slams, Sabalenka did little to conceal her frustration. At Roland Garros, the Belarusian star threatened to "quit tennis." Then at SW19, she confessed: "I just want to go get completely drunk."
Yet the unfortunate scenes, though painful to revisit, proved valuable for Sabalenka. "These tough lessons are definitely going to make me way, way stronger,” she added.
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“I’m working even harder. I work on my mental side of the game. I was trying to reset my mind and to come back stronger. It’s only going to make me stronger. It’s only a matter of time for me to come back.”
Despite Sabalenka's inability to meet the enormous expectations placed upon her at this year's Grand Slams, everything could be forgiven should she successfully defend her title at the U.S. Open.
A third consecutive triumph in New York would position her among elite company, with Serena Williams and Chris Evert the only other women to achieve the feat in the modern era.
Sabalenka, for one, isn’t getting too far ahead of herself. “I will focus on myself, I'll try to do my very best, and we'll see what happens with the end of this tournament,” she said.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
