The top-ranked player globally, Aryna Sabalenka, revealed she felt “emotionally scattered” after narrowly overcoming Anastasia Potapova to secure her spot in the Australian Open fourth round.
The Belarusian athlete, a strong contender for a title she has already claimed twice, was comfortably ahead with a set and a 4-0 lead.
However, the 27-year-old experienced feeling “physically detached” as the 55th-ranked Potapova staged a comeback. Sabalenka was compelled to save four set points before ultimately securing a 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (9-7) triumph.
After the match, a thoughtful Sabalenka confessed it was the type of encounter she would have lost earlier in her professional career.
Last year, Sabalenka was defeated in two Grand Slam finals, initially by Madison Keys in Melbourne, and then committed 70 unforced errors during the French Open final against Coco Gauff.
She has openly stated that her emotions can become “unmanageable” during high-stakes tennis matches, leading her to seek assistance from a psychologist to strengthen this area of her performance.
She has advanced to at least the semi-finals in 13 out of her last 16 Grand Slam appearances, claiming four major titles over the previous three years and solidifying her position as the leading force in women’s tennis.
“Five years ago, Aryna would have been overly preoccupied with her feelings and would have certainly lost these kinds of matches,” Sabalenka commented.
“I’ve come to understand that how you feel is secondary; it’s entirely about your mindset, your psychological resilience to persevere, give your utmost, execute an awkward return with flawed technique, even when your body feels utterly uncoordinated.
“When confronted with underperforming tactics, the sole viable strategy is to contend.”
