Is it time to get worried about Aryna Sabalenka
Article excerpt
Aryna Sabalenka losing to Jessica Pegula in three sets at the Berlin Open is not the headliner. Losses happen, even to the World No. 1. Let’s not forget that she won the Sunshine Double in March. Winning a month of…
Aryna Sabalenka losing to Jessica Pegula in three sets at the Berlin Open is not the headliner. Losses happen, even to the World No. 1. Let’s not forget that she won the Sunshine Double in March. Winning a month of tennis takes its toll physically and mentally. Arguably, she has not been the same since.
What is more worrying than the losses is the body language and negativity that comes from Sabalenka during matches. It sometimes manifests when she is winning points.
Though Sabalenka played off the “I want to quit tennis” comment after losing to Shnaider, could that thought be more realistic than we realized?
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Sabalenka is losing lopsided sets
The 6-0 third set losses to Diana Shnaider and Jessica Pegula are odd. Sabalenka has a great serve and to be broken in succession like that almost defies logic.
She used to get frustrated at times but was able to turn the page quickly, now her emotions fester.
Mar 28, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus hits a forehand against Coco Gauff of the United States in the final of the women’s singles at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Sabalenka did not go to her post match press conference, another worrying sign. I don’t blame her for not going. Those press events have to be grueling after a match like that, but it still is not a great look for the World No. 1.
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She has been perfectly consistent for so long
Sabalenka has gone to the final rounds of practically every tournament she has entered in the past three years. That equates to playing a lot of points, games, and matches.
Women’s tennis has a way of creating a competitive environment where the players eventually catch up with the World No. 1. It happened to Iga Swiatek, and though it is too early to say if that is what’s happening here, it is bound to happen to Sabalenka at some point also.