Aryna Sabalenka reflects on near retirement amid double-fault struggles: “I was thinking, it’s time to give up”

Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarusian tennis star and world number one, recently opened up about a difficult period in her career where she considered retiring from the sport due to struggles with her serve, particularly double faults. During an interview, Sabalenka reflected on a time when persistent serving issues caused her significant frustration and doubt, leading her to question whether she should continue playing.

The turning point in Sabalenka’s career came in 2021 when her serve became unreliable, with frequent double faults disrupting her game. The pressure of competing at the highest level, combined with the inability to fix this technical issue, took a toll on her confidence. “I was thinking, it’s time to give up,” Sabalenka admitted, revealing just how close she came to stepping away from tennis altogether.

Despite this challenging phase, Sabalenka managed to find the strength to persevere. Instead of giving up, she sought help from her coaching team and worked tirelessly to improve her serve. She credited this support system, along with her own determination, for helping her overcome what felt like an insurmountable obstacle. Through intense training and mental fortitude, Sabalenka gradually regained her confidence and turned her weaknesses into strengths.

Sabalenka’s journey from near retirement to the top of the tennis world is a testament to her resilience and mental toughness. Overcoming such a low point in her career, she has gone on to achieve significant success, including winning her first Grand Slam title at the 2023 Australian Open. Her story is a powerful reminder of the challenges athletes face, both physically and mentally, and how perseverance can lead to incredible achievements. Sabalenka’s openness about her struggles serves as an inspiration to athletes facing similar hardships.