“Sabalenka considers quitting tennis after disappointment at Roland Garros.”

Aryna Sabalenka was devastated after her surprising elimination in the quarter-finals of Roland Garros, in a collapse that left her without the strength or desire to continue competing. The Belarusian, ranked world number 2, not only squandered a considerable lead against young Diana Shnaider but also ended up losing ten consecutive games, including a humiliating 6-0 in the deciding set. Even more shocking was her reaction after the match: Sabalenka admitted, visibly shaken, that she just wanted to “quit tennis” and release her frustration by “destroying everything.”

The tennis player, who begins her grass campaign this week at the WTA in Berlin against Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova, has revealed that she sought psychological help to try to understand what is leading to these setbacks in decisive moments. At the press conference ahead of the German tournament, Sabalenka explained: “Talking to a therapist was really helpful, it changed many things for me. I feel that this is the secret to staying on top: always looking for something, that one percent that makes the difference.” The Belarusian also stated: “I am always searching. I know I don’t need to change much, I know my strengths and weaknesses. I try to stay clear about the overall picture of what is happening.”

Jason Stacy, performance coach of Aryna Sabalenka, also shared his perspective on this moment of emotional crisis. In statements to Tennis365, Stacy clarified: “Honestly, I didn’t feel much emotion about it. I understood what was happening. She lost her way, lost everything that characterizes her. We’ll let her go through this process, give her space, and when the right moment comes, we’ll talk and understand what remains, but I didn’t react with much emotion.” The coach added that, although it is natural to want to intervene, the team chose to give her time: “Obviously, part of me wanted to go help her. We always want to rescue those we care about, but we also know that she has to go through this alone and find her own way. I felt bad for the whole team, no one liked to experience that, but I didn’t dwell too much on the moment. She laid her heart bare and said, ‘Here I am,'” concluded Stacy.

This setback in Paris comes after Sabalenka was the runner-up at last year’s Roland Garros, where she lost to Coco Gauff after leading the match. Earlier this year, in the final of the Australian Open, she was unable to overcome Elena Rybakina. Despite these setbacks on major stages, Sabalenka has already secured three titles in 2026 — including defending her title in Brisbane and winning at Indian Wells and Miami, where she defeated Rybakina and Gauff — but the trauma of major tournaments seems to continue to haunt her.

The significance of this news lies in the psychological impact that the pressure of major stages can have even on the most talented athletes. Sabalenka, known for her aggression and intensity on the court, has confronted her own emotional limits, exposing a rare vulnerability at this level. The fact that she is seeking psychological support demonstrates a new approach in elite tennis, which is increasingly attentive to the mental well-being of players.

Now, all eyes turn to Berlin, where Sabalenka seeks to bounce back and claim her first-ever title on grass, a surface on which she has already reached two finals but has not won. The clash against Alexandrova — with whom she has a balanced record (4-4) — will be a true test of her mental and competitive resilience. Additionally, Wimbledon is approaching, where Sabalenka has been a semifinalist on three occasions (2021, 2023, and 2025), but has never reached the title. Her performance in Berlin could be crucial for the confidence with which she arrives at the All England Club.

If she can overcome this emotional turmoil and rediscover her best tennis, Sabalenka may reignite her bid for new Grand Slam titles. Otherwise, doubts will increase regarding her ability to handle pressure in decisive moments. The tennis world is watching closely: is Sabalenka ready to respond to adversity and prove that she is, in fact, one of the sport’s great figures? The next chapter unfolds this week in Berlin, where the Belarusian’s resilience will be put to the test.

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