In sports, as in everyday life, emotions play a pivotal role, a sentiment that top tennis player Aryna Sabalenka knows all too well. The Belarusian star recently delved into this topic with former American tennis pro Andy Roddick on the podcast “Served with Andy Roddick.” Since 2023, Sabalenka has made significant strides in managing her emotions, a key factor that has propelled her to win three Grand Slam titles and earn the title of world No. 1 in women’s tennis.
Sabalenka’s journey to emotional mastery is inspiring, demonstrating the importance of embracing and channeling emotions positively. She has achieved major career milestones, not by suppressing her feelings, but by learning to live with and navigate them. As she candidly explained, her emotional approach has not turned her into a robotic or stoic athlete; on the contrary, her authentic expressions and occasional outbursts show that she remains deeply human. Reflecting on her unique journey, Sabalenka admitted, “If I keep everything inside, it weighs me down and makes me feel overwhelmed. I need to release it to clear my head and think more clearly.”
Her willingness to show emotion on the court has sometimes led to memorable moments, including instances where she has been seen yelling at her coaching team. Sabalenka humorously recalled a viral moment from the US Open: “You’ve probably seen those funny clips of me yelling at my team or when it looked like I threw my racket. Honestly, I was just trying to pass it to my coach. But that’s how it is,” she laughed.
Sabalenka reflected on her struggle to understand and embrace her emotions over the years. For a long time, she received advice urging her to suppress her feelings and remain composed, like certain other players. However, she ultimately rejected that approach. “Being calm doesn’t necessarily mean you’re mentally tough. For some players, it works. But I’m not one of those people who can just bottle everything up,” she explained.
Ascending to the top of the WTA rankings by surpassing Poland’s Iga Swiatek has been one of Sabalenka’s proudest accomplishments. In a recent interview with *Arab News*, she discussed the responsibilities and opportunities that come with being No. 1. While Sabalenka recognizes that leadership can be challenging, she also sees it as a chance to make a difference. One of her key focuses is advocating for gender equality in tennis, particularly in the fight for equal prize money between the men’s and women’s tours. She spoke passionately about how representing women’s sports can lead to positive societal change, even in countries like Saudi Arabia, where she recently competed. “It’s a big responsibility, but I enjoy it. I love showing the world how strong and powerful we are and fighting for our rights,” she said earnestly.
Despite her meteoric rise, Sabalenka remains humble and driven. She has long aspired to dominate women’s tennis the way Serena Williams and, more recently, Iga Swiatek have. “Swiatek is still competing fiercely,” Sabalenka acknowledged. “Ending the year as world No. 1 is a tremendous honor, and it’s a testament to all my hard work. But I’m focused on getting better each day and mastering every aspect of my game so I can lead like they did.”
The 2023 season brought both highs and lows for Sabalenka. In her final match of the year at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, she faced a formidable challenge against American sensation Coco Gauff, who ultimately defeated her 7-6(4), 6-3. Sabalenka’s performance was marred by unforced errors—47 in total—and she struggled to find her rhythm. Though she led with a break twice in the first set, she failed to maintain her advantage, allowing Gauff to stage a comeback and dominate the tie-break. In the second set, Sabalenka’s nerves got the better of her, leading to further errors on both her forehand and backhand. Gauff, despite showing moments of uncertainty, capitalized on Sabalenka’s struggles to clinch the victory and end the Belarusian’s impressive season.
For Sabalenka, the loss was a disappointing close to a landmark year, but she remains optimistic about the future. Her journey in 2023 showcased not just her skill and determination but also her commitment to personal growth and emotional authenticity. As she looks ahead, Sabalenka is determined to continue honing her craft, finding strength in her emotions, and pushing the boundaries of what she can achieve in the sport she loves. With her passion, grit, and willingness to lead, she is undoubtedly poised for even greater heights.