Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champion, has long been a force of nature on the WTA Tour, known for her thunderous groundstrokes and fiery on-court demeanor. Yet, a recent revelation from her former coach, Dmitry Tursunov, sheds light on the challenges of guiding a young Sabalenka during her formative years. In a candid reflection, Tursunov recounted a heated 2018 incident that nearly derailed their partnership, offering a glimpse into the emotional intensity that has both fueled and tested Sabalenka’s meteoric rise. As she prepares for the 2025 US Open, where she is the defending champion, this story underscores the passion and growth that define her journey.
In 2018, Sabalenka was a 20-year-old prodigy on the cusp of greatness, climbing from No. 73 to nearly breaking into the top 10 by year’s end. Tursunov, a former top-20 player turned coach, joined her team during the grass-court season, a pivotal moment when her raw talent was beginning to shine. Their collaboration bore fruit quickly, with Sabalenka reaching her first WTA final on grass at Eastbourne and later clinching her maiden WTA 1000 title in Wuhan, where she remains undefeated with a 17-0 record. However, the road to success was far from smooth. Tursunov described a particular moment of friction during the 2018 Eastbourne tournament, where Sabalenka’s youthful exuberance clashed with his expectations of professionalism.
The incident unfolded the day before her singles final, when Sabalenka played a doubles match alongside Xie Shuwei. Tursunov was incensed by what he perceived as a lack of focus. “She was clearly messing around. Hee-hee, ha-ha,” he recalled, his frustration palpable. “I exploded. I said directly: ‘You’re doing bullshit! Laughing, having fun on the court. This is disrespectful — to your partner, your opponents, and yourself. Why waste time? You have a chance to take the trophy — and you’re going to blow it all?!’” For Tursunov, who poured his all into coaching, Sabalenka’s carefree attitude felt like a betrayal of their shared goal. The outburst led to a fiery argument, with Sabalenka, stung by the criticism, venting to her sponsor and even contemplating firing Tursunov. “We had a fight,” he admitted. “Aryna went out to dinner with a sparring partner. In her eyes, he was the good cop, and I was the evil one.”
The clash revealed the complexities of coaching a young player with immense potential but unrefined discipline. Sabalenka, then navigating the pressures of rising stardom, struggled to understand Tursunov’s reaction. “At that time, she didn’t understand what was going on. Why such a reaction,” he noted. Yet, her sponsor’s intervention helped cool tensions, and the pair continued their partnership, which proved fruitful during the hard-court swing. Sabalenka’s breakthrough came with titles in New Haven, Wuhan, and Shenzhen, showcasing her ability to channel her intensity into results. Tursunov’s tough love played a role in her growth, teaching her to balance her fiery spirit with the focus needed to compete at the elite level.
Fast forward to 2025, and Sabalenka has evolved into a dominant force, with three Grand Slam titles, including the 2024 US Open, and 47 weeks as world No. 1. Her emotional outbursts, once a point of contention, remain part of her identity, though she has learned to manage them better. “After tough losses, there are good wins,” she said after her Australian Open final loss to Madison Keys earlier this year, where she smashed her racket in frustration. “I’ll keep working and make sure that next time, I’ll play definitely better.” Her current coach, Anton Dubrov, who took over in 2020, has helped her harness her passion, guiding her to 14 of her 20 career singles titles. Dubrov, only 28, embraces Sabalenka’s intensity, noting that her ability to move past frustration quickly is key to her success. “You have to be yourself, accept this fact, and think about what you need to do,” he said, reflecting on her on-court outbursts.
The 2018 tantrum, while a low point, was a stepping stone in Sabalenka’s journey. Tursunov’s reflections highlight the challenges of coaching a young player with a larger-than-life personality. “She is explosive, sometimes she freaks out, blurts out something — then apologizes,” he said, acknowledging her growth. Today, Sabalenka’s fiery spirit is a strength, captivating fans with her relentless energy and off-court charm, from TikTok dances to playful jabs at her team. As she gears up for the US Open, where she aims to defend her title, Sabalenka’s past struggles serve as a reminder of her resilience. The young girl who once clashed with her coach has become a champion who thrives under pressure, ready to write the next chapter of her remarkable career.
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