World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka suffered a surprising quarter-final defeat at Roland-Garros and admitted afterward that the emotional impact of the loss left her questioning everything.
The Belarusian star was beaten by Russian player Diana Shnaider in three sets, 6-3, 5-7, 0-6, despite appearing to be in control for significant periods of the match. Following the defeat, Sabalenka delivered an emotional assessment of her performance, expressing frustration with her inability to handle key moments.
"I have no thoughts, no emotions. Right now, I want to quit tennis," Sabalenka said after the match. "Hopefully, in a few days, I will be able to recover mentally and get back on track."
The top-ranked player acknowledged that she missed important opportunities to close out the second set, allowing Shnaider to gain confidence and momentum. According to Sabalenka, her biggest problem was not physical but mental.
"I couldn't recover mentally after losing the second set. That was my biggest mistake today. I don't remember the last time I lost ten games in a row. Mentally, I fell into a dark place and couldn't find my way back."
Despite her disappointment, Sabalenka praised Shnaider's performance and admitted that her opponent deserved the victory. She also questioned the tournament organizers' decision to keep the stadium roof open despite difficult weather conditions and strong winds.
However, she stopped short of blaming external factors for the result.
"Maybe it's my fault. Maybe I lost control of my emotions. Regardless of the conditions, she played better and took her chances."
The defeat also reignited questions about Sabalenka's record on clay and grass courts. Although she has established herself as one of the dominant players in women's tennis, she has yet to win either Roland-Garros or Wimbledon.
The three-time Grand Slam champion suggested that the pressure of chasing those titles may be affecting her performances in crucial matches.
"Perhaps I focus too much on the fact that I haven't won a Grand Slam on clay or grass. I think too much and become too emotional. I'm tired of losing matches because my emotions take over."
Sabalenka emphasized that she plans to analyze the defeat carefully and understand why she lost control during such an important match.
Before the contest, she said she felt confident, motivated, and fully prepared to compete. Yet once the momentum shifted, she struggled to regain her composure.
For now, the World No. 1 intends to step away briefly, reflect on the experience, and return stronger. While her comments reflected the frustration of a painful defeat, they also highlighted the intense mental challenges faced by elite athletes competing at the highest level of professional sport.
Meanwhile, Diana Shnaider advances to the semi-finals after producing one of the biggest victories of her career and eliminating the tournament's top seed in impressive fashion.
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