'I have heard a lot saying': Aryna Sabalenka lambasts youth-level coaches, shares her own experience

World number one Aryna Sabalenka has lambasted the youth coaches. The 27-year-old, who is regarded as the best player in the world in women’s tennis in the singles category, is currently taking part in the ongoing French Open.

Sabalenka has cemented her spot in the fourth round of the mega-event as she defeated Serbia’s Olga Danilovic in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-3. It was her third consecutive straight sets in the competition. That win sets up a mouthwatering contest between the three-time Grand Slam winner and America’s Amanda Anisimova in the fourth round.

The 23-year-old cemented her spot in the last 16 after beating Denmark’s Clara Tauson in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-4. Before her round of 16 contest, Sabalenka was quoted in a report by The Straits Times, where she lambasted the youth-level coaches. The reigning world number one stated that one of the reasons behind her motivation is the fact that she was not encouraged as much as she should have been at the early stage of her career. Sabalenka revealed that she was called ‘stupid’ and that she ‘will never make it’ to the highest level.

“I’ve always been quite motivated and they didn’t have to push me,” said Sabalenka. “But I have heard a lot saying I’m not smart enough, that I’m stupid, and I’ll never make it, and I don’t have anything to make it to the top. I guess I want to send a quick message to them to quit their job, because honestly, I think they know nothing and they better quit just to save other players. Off court it is important to surround yourself with the right people and have fun with your crew and that’s what I’m doing.

Sabalenka also went on to thank her current team and stated that she is ‘grateful’ for having such a supporting team. She also refused to call herself a favourite for the competition, where she has never managed to cement a spot in the final. “I am really grateful to have all of them on my team, we are like family,” she said. “Let’s just leave it (the pressure) on Iga (Swiatek) since she won it, what, three times in a row, really, right? Let’s just... I will just leave it for her.