Aryna Sabalenka, usually a supreme champion and a great ambassador for tennis, has really struggled to maintain her dominance over the WTA Tour this year. She has slipped from the world number one spot and, let’s be real, she hasn’t won a single major all year. She just lost the US Open final to Elena Rybakina in three sets, and it wasn’t just the loss that got people talking. Her actions and past comments are back in the spotlight.
The 2025 Roland Garros Rant That Blew Up
This whole situation has everyone recalling her 2025 Roland Garros final against Coco Gauff, where Sabalenka did not react well at all to losing. Despite taking the first set, the American star, Gauff, clearly handled the swirling conditions inside Philippe Chatrier much better. As that wind picked up, so did Gauff’s game. Her high, looping balls and wide variety of shots just kept Sabalenka missing long, wide, or into the net.
Sabalenka’s press conference afterwards was something else. She admitted, “It was honestly the worst tennis I’ve played in I don’t know how many months.” She blamed the elements, saying, “Conditions were terrible, and she simply was better in these conditions than me.” But then she added, “I think I was overemotional, and I didn’t really handle myself well.” And here’s the kicker: “I think she won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes from, if you look from the outside, easy balls.” People were seriously frustrated by her failure to credit Gauff. She kept going, saying, “I cannot go out there every time against her in the finals of the Grand Slam and play such terrible tennis.” She even said, “It felt like a joke, honestly, like somebody from above was just there laughing saying, ‘let’s see if you can handle this’.” Talk about a fiery outburst!
Chris Evert Was Absolutely Stunned
Legendary Chris Evert was one of many pundits who were just stunned by what they heard from the then world number one. Evert took particular issue with those comments. She flat out said, “When you heard Aryna say it was the worst [final], I was like wow!” Evert laid down the truth: “You have to adjust. It’s the same on both sides. You have to make that adjustment.” She pointed out that a player at her level should know how to deal with the wind. “If you are number one in the world or number two in the world, you should know how to play on windy days by now.”
Evert broke it down, explaining, “It was swirling. Well, you know what, then you really have to get ready and prepared for the shot quicker and you have to be aware of that and make the court smaller and not go for the lines all the time if it’s that windy.” Her point was clear: “It was the same for both of them and I think Coco really adapted to it much better.” Sabalenka did apologize quickly after those comments, and by the time Wimbledon rolled around, she and Gauff were even making fun of the situation. But now, in 2026, with her recent US Open loss and the racket smashing right after championship point, you have to wonder if that emotional side is still costing her big titles. Can she learn to handle the tough moments better and get back to her winning ways?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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