Aryna Sabalenka contemplates quitting tennis after shocking French Open exit
Aryna Sabalenka revealed her desire to “quit tennis” following a stunning quarter-final defeat at the French Open to Diana Shnaider, reports BritPanorama.
The world No. 1 was eliminated in a dramatic match, losing 3-6, 7-5, 6-0, before leaving the court in frustration.
In her post-match comments, Sabalenka expressed her emotional turmoil: “No thoughts, no emotions. I just want to quit tennis right now. We’ll see in a few days. Hopefully, I’ll get back on track mentally.” This loss marks the second time in her last 14 Grand Slam appearances that she failed to reach at least the semi-finals.
Reflecting on the match, Sabalenka mentioned, “I don’t know when was the last time that happened to me that I lost 10 games in a row. I guess mentally I got into a very deep, deep, dark hole over there, and I just couldn’t get back mentally on track.” She acknowledged the need to reassess her approach and find a solution to her struggles, citing fatigue from losing in ways she deemed unacceptable.
Sabalenka’s defeat leaves a wide-open women’s tournament, as none of the remaining players have reached a Grand Slam final. Shnaider, the world No. 25 who scored the upset, celebrated her biggest career win, commenting, “Obviously, today, tough conditions with the wind.” She remarked on her nerves leading into the match and how she ultimately found her rhythm.
With the shadow of Sabalenka’s struggles looming, the contrast of Shnaider’s triumph underscores the unpredictable nature of sport. In defeat, Sabalenka’s journey takes a stark turn, proving that even the elite can find themselves in the grips of doubt and uncertainty.
