“Maybe I’m Focusing Too Much on It” - Aryna Sabalenka Opens Up on the One Slam Dream Still Missing

Aryna Sabalenka had the match; she looked so set for the victory, a double break lead, and appeared to be in complete control, but in tennis, control can be temporary.

The world No. 1 lost 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 to Diana Shnaiderin the French Open quarterfinals on Wednesday, blowing a set and two breaks in one of the more brutal collapses you'll see from a player of her level. She was literally two points from closing it out at 5-4 in the second set. but the momentum shifted from there, Shnaider took over completely, winning the final ten games in a row to complete an incredible comeback.

Schneider, ranked number 24 in the world, has she never gone beyond the second week of a Grand Slam before this tournament, but now she is going to her first semifinal at this level. Meanwhile, the loss for Sabalenka means another missed chance at Roland Garros and an earlier than expected trip home.

Speaking after the match "This is something that I have to step back [from] and try to find a solution, because I just am so tired of losing some matches - not in the best way, [but] because I was overemotional." she said. it was an honest reflection from the world number one, as she admitted that the pressure and expectation may have affected her during the key moments of the match.

The thing is, this keeps happening. In the 2023 semifinals, she is 5-2 up in the third with the match point against Muchova. But ultimately, it felt just short. Last year, in the finals against Gauff, she took the opening set before the momentum shift later in the match. Predictably, in this season also, she has brought a few close encounters on the clay court.

She saved and created match point opportunities against Haley Baptiste in Madrid and played another competitive three-set match against Cirstea in Rome. Despite the difficult finishes in some of these matches, she has continued to reach the later stage of major tournaments, underlining her consistency at the highest level.

Sabalenka’s loss means the French Open will be won by one of four players Diana Shnaider, Polish qualifier Maja Chwalińska, Russia’s Mirra Andreeva, or Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.. One of them is now one win away from their first Grand Slam title. For Sablenka, it is another missed chance in Paris, and she will always look back at what she could have done better.

Sportscape feels that Sabalenka is not losing because she lacks the potential level. She has been one of the strongest players in the draw this fortnight. The issue seems to come more in the big moments where pressure and past disappointments start to haunt in. She has even spoken about overthinking when things get tight. So there have been similar battles before, including Wimbledon semifinals where she had a strong position but still couldn't close them out. So the talent is clearly there, but the challenge is now turning those moments into wins when it matters the most.