“Aryna Sabalenka receives support from her fiancé after emotional defeat in Madrid.”

Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one, suffered a devastating defeat at the Madrid Open, in one of the tournament’s biggest upsets so far. Her fiancé, Georgios Frangulis, showed a quiet yet powerful support following the Belarusian tennis player’s setback, who shared her emotions after the match.

In the quarterfinal clash, Sabalenka started strong, winning the first set 6-2. However, the surprising American Hailey Baptiste refused to be discouraged and responded with an aggression and variety of play that allowed her to level the match with a 6-2 in the second set. The duel reached its peak in the third set, decided in a dramatic tiebreak where Baptiste saved six match points, achieving an epic victory by 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(6). This victory marks the biggest triumph of the young American’s career and ends Sabalenka’s impressive streak of 15 consecutive wins.

Immediately after the match, Sabalenka took to Instagram to share an emotional message reflecting on the defeat. The 27-year-old tennis player expressed confidence in her ability to overcome this difficult moment and continue to evolve throughout the remainder of the clay season, with her sights already set on Roland Garros, the second Grand Slam of the year. She also thanked her fans for their unwavering support throughout the tournament, showing her gratitude even in challenging times.

On social media, many fans expressed solidarity and encouragement, but it was the response from her fiancé, Georgios Frangulis, that stood out for its simplicity and meaning: a discreet red heart emoji, which conveyed all the comfort and support needed for the athlete to face this phase.

In a press conference after the match, Sabalenka analyzed her defeat with exemplary maturity. The world number one acknowledged the quality of her opponent and admitted that the opportunities she had were not capitalized on during the decisive moments of the match. “It was a complicated match. She played very well, and so did I. I think I had some opportunities in the third set. I felt that maybe I rushed some points at that moment. But it’s all right; sometimes we have to learn, take the negative aspects from this week, and move forward,” declared the Belarusian.

Sabalenka also emphasized the importance of the key moments in the match, where the dynamics of the game slipped out of her hands. Her inability to convert crucial points and her opponent’s boldness under pressure were decisive for her elimination. Despite the setback, the champion remains determined to grow and improve throughout the clay season, with the clear goal of reaching her best level in Paris.

This unexpected setback at the Madrid Open promises to be a turning point in Sabalenka’s journey this season, and her path to Roland Garros will be closely monitored by fans and experts in the tennis world. The response from her fiancé, simple but laden with meaning, shows that even in the most bitter defeats, emotional strength and personal support are essential to recover and fight for the titles yet to be won.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.