Aryna Sabalenka made a heartfelt revelation about the struggles she faced earlier in her career, admitting that she had the “wrong people” around her during her teenage years. The world No. 1 shared her thoughts after finishing as the runner-up to 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva in the Indian Wells final on Sunday.
During her speech, Sabalenka playfully suggested that she could have been a better player if she had the kind of support team Andreeva currently enjoys. However, she later delved deeper into the topic, revealing how difficult it was for her to find a “healthy” team dynamic in her early years on tour.
Andreeva’s meteoric rise has been fueled by a 12-match winning streak, securing back-to-back WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells. The young star has credited much of her success to former tennis legend Conchita Martinez, who joined her coaching team last year—a partnership that Sabalenka also took note of.
“Congrats on having a great team. If I had the same team you have at your age, I’d probably be a better player by now,” Sabalenka said during the trophy ceremony. “I have the best team now, but when I was your age, I struggled to find the right coach. You’ve figured it out much earlier, and that’s why you’re doing so well.”
In her post-match press conference, the three-time Grand Slam champion elaborated on her remarks, making a poignant admission about her own past experiences. She credited Andreeva’s rapid success “100 per cent” to the strong support system surrounding her, something Sabalenka lacked as a young player.
“At that age, I was surrounded by so many wrong people,” she admitted. “Once I was able to remove those influences and surround myself with the right team, everything became much more stable. I gained confidence, and the atmosphere in my camp became much healthier.”
Sabalenka highlighted the positive impact of Andreeva’s family and coaching setup, praising Conchita Martinez’s experience and influence. She also pointed out the absence of any “abusive things” in the teenager’s environment, suggesting that having a strong family involvement played a key role in ensuring the right guidance.
“Maybe it’s not just about Mirra; maybe it’s about her family helping her make the right decisions,” Sabalenka continued. “She’s still very young, and it might be more of a team or family decision. It’s great to see, and I’m happy for her.”
Although content with how her career has evolved, the 26-year-old admitted that she sometimes wishes she had listened to her family’s advice more when she was younger.
“I don’t have any regrets because my experiences have shaped me into the player I am today. But of course, I wish I had been a little smarter at that age or listened to my family a bit more,” Sabalenka smiled.
Now firmly established as one of the world’s best players, Sabalenka’s reflections offer a glimpse into the challenges many young athletes face in navigating their careers—and the crucial role a supportive team plays in shaping success.
