Sabalenka explains in Cincinnati the reasons for her crisis
The Belarusian admits that her desperation to win at Roland Garros and Wimbledon took a toll on her and that she is now focusing her career differently.
Aryna Sabalenka has been immersed in a negative spiral for several months, and it is urgent for her to get out as soon as possible, not so much because of the results, but due to the feelings of desperation, helplessness, and mental fatigue that she has conveyed on the court in recent months. The world number 1 provided a diagnosis of her situation at the Media Day of WTA 1000 Cincinnati 2026, with shocking confessions.
No one could have imagined that after that historic Sunshine Double achieved in March with titles in Indian Wells and Miami, Aryna Sabalenka would experience such negative feelings as she has in the recent major tournaments. The clay and grass court season plunged the Belarusian into a difficult-to-understand emotional pit, although she has already identified the keys to explain what happened. She did this in an emotional press conference before the WTA 1000 Cincinnati 2026.
This is what Aryna Sabalenka said before the WTA Cincinnati 2026
The pressure to defend the number 1
"You can see it as if you are defending something, but to be honest, you have a target on your back. Everyone wants to beat you, but I think it’s the same whether you are number one, number two, or number ten. It doesn't really matter what the ranking is."
"When you step onto the court, everyone wants to beat you. It's normal. It's just an extra challenge for others: to go out there without fear and play their best tennis."
"I always enjoy that. I love it. I love having a target on my back. I like seeing a younger generation that looks up to me and is inspired by me."
"But I feel that they will still be inspired even if I drop a bit in the ranking; I hope that never happens. For me, as long as I focus on myself and on developing as a player and as a person, the ranking really doesn't matter."
A necessary change in expectations and attitude announced by Sabalenka
"I think that every time I had no expectations, no fear, or anything, I just went out to compete, enjoy, play, and fight. And that's what I plan to do: compete, fight, and enjoy every challenge that comes my way."
"This summer I had high expectations. Although I don't want to say it, I had high expectations of succeeding in the tournament where I desperately wanted to succeed."
"But my body held me back. Then there were small things that also didn't go my way, and that really led me to disappointment and a moment where I wanted to step back from tennis for a bit, just to refresh, reset, and regain my hunger."
"That's why now I have no expectations. Basically, I don't care. I will just go out, compete, and fight. Every time I make this decision, I bring out my best tennis and play my best tennis. That’s my plan."
Aryna believes that the level of women's tennis continues to rise
"I feel that the level has definitely improved. It is clearly higher. There are no easy matches. The first round is also a tough round. Every time you are out there, you have to perform at your best. Otherwise, another player will take your place. I feel that the intensity and level have definitely increased."
Sabalenka looks to the future with optimism
"I don't want to stop and look back because every time I try to do that, I go completely crazy and emotional. It has taken a lot of work, many tough moments, and many things to get through."
"It has been a journey. It has been a very long journey, and I try not to do it. I try to focus on the present and do everything now. Of course, I have a precious opportunity, great opportunities. I am enjoying my life. I am enjoying these great challenges."
"There are also low moments. You are not always at the top of the world; sometimes you face difficult challenges. But I enjoy it because it’s my path, and I feel that at the end of my career, I will be able to look back and think: 'Wow, that was incredible'."
"Right now, I feel that the best thing for me is to be in the moment and really enjoy every opportunity, every moment."
What emerges from these words from Aryna Sabalenka is that she is fully aware of what has been her major limiting factor in recent times. Identifying and acknowledging a problem is the first step in solving it, and the Belarusian must start to show signs of a reaction in this WTA 1000 Cincinnati 2026.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sabalenka explica en Cincinnati los motivos de su crisis