World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka delivered a surprisingly lighthearted press conference after her Wimbledon loss, playfully referencing a previous, highly criticized appearance at the French Open.
A Different Kind of Press Conference
After being eliminated by Amanda Anisimova at Centre Court, Sabalenka arrived for her post-match media session with a clear message for reporters. “Are you guys waiting for something? You’re not going to see a Roland-Garros press conference,” she stated, adding humorously, “So anyone who was waiting for that, you can leave right now.”
This jovial opening was a deliberate contrast to her controversial press conference after losing to Coco Gauff at the French Open earlier this year. That prior appearance had drawn significant criticism and online backlash.
Learning From Past Lessons
The online vitriol Sabalenka faced after the French Open was intense. It prompted her to send a private apology to Gauff, and the two later patched things up publicly, even posting joint TikTok and Instagram videos before Wimbledon began.
This difficult experience clearly shaped her approach at Wimbledon. Sabalenka admitted that avoiding a repeat of the “hate” was a strong motivator for her during the match. “I just don’t want to face that hate again,” she revealed.
Mastering Emotions On Court
The 27-year-old Belarusian emphasized the importance of emotional control. She explained how she consciously reminded herself that losing control was “not an option” whenever she felt close to yelling, screaming, or smashing her racket during the match.
Sabalenka acknowledged that intense emotions are normal for athletes. “We’re all people. We all can lose control over our emotions. It’s absolutely normal,” she said, highlighting her effort to manage those feelings in the public eye.
The Sting of Defeat
Despite her composed demeanor, the disappointment of the loss was palpable. Sabalenka described the immediate aftermath of a match as the “worst one,” particularly when an athlete is so close to achieving a major dream. Losing at the latter stages of a tournament can feel like “this is the end,” she shared.
Praise for Her Opponent
When discussing her opponent, Amanda Anisimova, Sabalenka was gracious in defeat. She credited Anisimova for playing a “brave brand of tennis.” Sabalenka noted that Anisimova was more aggressive and willing to “go for all” while she herself was trying to stay in the point.
Wimbledon Dream Derailed
Sabalenka had ambitious goals for Wimbledon, hoping to reach her first title match at the prestigious event. More significantly, she was aiming to become the first woman in a decade to reach four consecutive major finals, following her U.S. Open win last year and runner-up finishes at the Australian Open and French Open in 2025.
Her defeat means her impressive streak of major final appearances comes to an end, marking an unexpected conclusion to her Wimbledon campaign.
- Aryna Sabalenka maintained a light tone in her Wimbledon press conference, contrasting with a previous controversial appearance.
- She admitted to actively controlling her emotions on court to avoid online backlash experienced after the French Open.
- Sabalenka praised opponent Amanda Anisimova for her aggressive and brave play.
- The loss ended Sabalenka’s bid for a fourth consecutive major final appearance.
While the loss brings her Grand Slam final streak to a halt, Sabalenka’s measured and reflective post-match comments show a growing maturity in handling the pressures of top-tier tennis.
