“First you’re not accepting the loss & you’re acting like a b*tch” -Aryna Sabalenka opens up about learning ‘hardest lesson’ of dealing with losses
Aryna Sabalenka recently shared her perspective on the inevitability of losing in tennis. She highlighted how, in a match, both players win a similar number of points, with the difference between victory and defeat often coming down to just 10-20 points. Even in triumph, a player experiences multiple setbacks within the same match.
The World No. 1 finished the 2024 season at the top of the rankings for the first time in her career. However, she narrowly missed securing her third consecutive Australian Open title, falling to Madison Keys in a hard-fought three-set final.
In a recent feature with Flaunt magazine, Sabalenka opened up about her relationship with losing, saying:
“Most of the time, I’m losing. Learning how to lose is the hardest lesson. At first, you don’t accept the loss, and you act like a b*tch. Learning how to lose while still being a good person and understanding that this is just a moment… That’s hard. You know, I’m world number one, but I won only four tournaments.”
Reflecting on her career, she pointed out that despite competing in 27 Grand Slam events, she has only managed to win three titles, emphasizing the importance of perspective in handling losses.
Aryna Sabalenka on Balancing Life Beyond Tennis
Sabalenka also stressed the need to enjoy life outside of tennis, especially when results don’t go as planned. She remarked:
“[It’s important to] still enjoy life while you’re not having the success you wish you would have on the court.”
Off the court, Sabalenka embraces a vibrant lifestyle, often seen spending time on yachts with friends, strolling along the beach, creating Instagram dance reels, shopping, boxing, and participating in high-fashion photoshoots. She even admitted that if she weren’t a professional tennis player, she would likely pursue a career in modeling, showcasing her passion for fashion and the camera.
Professional athletes strive to avoid being solely result-oriented, as both positive and negative outcomes can significantly impact their mental approach. A fixation on success can lead to complacency, while dwelling on losses may negatively affect confidence and future performances.
Sabalenka will soon return to action at the Qatar Open and Dubai Tennis Championships on February 9 and 12, respectively. She has only one title between these two events, which she won in Doha in 2020. The Belarusian will be aiming to enhance her record in the Middle East and continue her dominant run on the WTA Tour.
