Following her defeat in the Wimbledon semi-finals, Aryna Sabalenka made it clear that she wasn’t interested in repeating the post-match sentiments from her earlier loss in the French Open final. After being eliminated by Amanda Anisimova with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, the world No. 1 quipped to reporters that they shouldn’t expect a repeat of her emotional press conference from Paris, where she faced intense backlash for her remarks after losing to Coco Gauff.
In the fallout from her French Open experience, Sabalenka apologised privately to Gauff and later publicly, seeking to mend their relationship before Wimbledon. “I just don’t want to face that hate again,” she admitted. She acknowledged the intense emotions that accompany competitive sports, noting that although it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, she reminded herself to maintain composure during matches.
Following her loss to Anisimova, the three-time Grand Slam champion expressed her admiration for her opponent, who is set to play in her first major final against Iga Swiatek. Sabalenka reflected on the feelings that come after such setbacks, describing the initial despair but recognising the importance of analysing her performance and identifying areas for improvement.
Sabalenka aimed to become the first woman in ten years to reach four consecutive major finals after her wins at last year’s US Open and runner-up finishes at the Australian Open and French Open earlier this year. Despite her powerful playing style, Sabalenka encountered a similarly aggressive opponent in Anisimova, which she acknowledged during the post-match analysis.
Sabalenka noted that Anisimova played with greater bravery and aggression, and though frustrated at times—particularly by Anisimova’s early celebrations during points—she also used that anger as motivation to continue fighting. Anisimova clarified that she wasn’t celebrating prematurely during a long exchange, stating her focus was on the match’s intensity.
As for her future, Sabalenka remains determined, stating, “I never give up, and I’m going to come back stronger, for sure.” The journey ahead looks promising for the competitive player as she aims to bounce back from this latest challenge.