Inside Story: When Aryna Sabalenka Almost Quit Tennis

Aryna Sabalenka is currently the world number one player in women’s singles but the road was never smooth.

While she is the top rated player right now, there was a time when the Belarusian thought of quitting tennis. Reason: poor serves!

Serve Gone Wrong

During an interview a popular magazine, Aryna Sabalenka reflected on the struggles she faced in 2022 that nearly prompted her to quit.

“It was such a long process. A lot of tennis is in your head. You’re always talking to yourself and dealing with emotional moments,” she said.

“We truly tried everything to fix my serve, and nothing worked.

“I thought maybe it was a sign to quit and do something else.”

The Hard Grind

Aryna Sabalenka palpably had tough times serving, often conceding points to the opponent. However, she prepared herself to address the problem. Instead of giving up, she chose to work on herself.

“But it ended up being a turning point for me. I stayed with it, worked even harder, and mentally, I found myself. I got through by trying over and over again.

“I talked a lot with my team and brought new people into the team. It’s very important to have the right people around you, especially during those moments. It’s all about support”, she added.

Inside Story: Why Aryna Sabalenka Almost Quit Tennis — Image: AP

Becoming World No.1

Aryna Sabalenka’s dedication clearly paid of. She is now the proud owner of three grand slam titles.

She has the most WTA singles titles in 2025, winning the Brisbane International, Miami Open, and Madrid Open.

However, the 27-year-old has been unlucky in grand slams this year. She lost two finals- Madison Keys (Australian Open) and Coco Gauff (French Open)- and one semifinal to Amanda Anisimova (Wimbledon).

Also Read: US Open 2025 Entry List: Sinner, Sabalenka Lead Singles Draw

Despite her flaws, Sabalenka remains world number one, and leads number two Gauff by over 4,500 points

She is now chasing her first grand slam of the year. And her only opportunity is the US Open- the fourth and the final grand slam of the year.