A disappointed Aryna Sabalenkla admits that she continues to struggle to manage the mental aspect of her tennis after missing out on the US Open title.
Sabalenka, who will become the new world No.1 on Monday, looked to be in full control of proceedings against Coco Gauff after storming to a 6-2 lead before having two break point opportunities at the start of the second set. However, she failed to maintain her advantage against her gutsy opponent who battled back to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Throughout the final, Sabalenka’s use of firepower hindered her at times with the Belarussian hitting 46 unforced errors, more than two times that of Gauff (19). This erratic shotmaking was part of her undoing in the final where she was bidding to become the first player from her country to win a singles title at Flushing Meadows.
“The second set I probably started overthinking and because of that I kind of lost my power. Then she (Gauff) started moving better. I start missing a lot of easy shots.” Said Sabalenka.
“The good news is that it’s me against me. The bad news is that I’m still having these issues playing against myself.”
Whilst praising her opponent’s defensive play, the 25-year-old believes her emotions played a key factor in how the momentum changed in the final. It is the fourth season in a row that she has been beaten by Gauff on the Tour. She currently trails their head-to-head 2-4.
“I would say that it was more because of me. Not the whole match but there were key moments in the second set which I lost and those moments helped her to turn around the game.” She commented.
“Sometimes I can get emotional. On the court, I was overthinking and I was missing balls I shouldn’t be missing.”
It is the third Grand Slam in a row that Sabalenka has exited the tournament after winning the first set. At the French Open she lost in the semi-finals to Karolina Muchova and then at Wimbledon she also fell in the last four to Ons Jabeur.
Despite those heartbreaks, 2023 has been a largely positive year for Sabalenka who has won a career-best 50 tour-level matches so far. She is the first woman to reach the finals of both the Australian Open and US Open within the same year since 2016. She will soon rise to the top of the WTA standings for the first time but admits there is still work to be done.
“Becoming a World No. 1, it’s a huge improvement and achievement,” she said.
“I’m proud of myself that all those years I have been working so hard helped me to become World No. 1. But for me, it’s more about ending the year as World No. 1, not just like becoming World No. 1 and then next week you’re second. I really would like to finish the year as World No. 1. That’s why I’m still positive and motivated.”
