'I'm just missing a little, little part': Aryna Sabalenka optimistic about learning from 'tough lessons' ahead of US Open

Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka has seen a lot of heartbreak this season. Despite winning 50 out of 60 matches across different competitions this year, the 27-year-old has only managed to win three events. While three events in a calendar year is an outstanding record for some players, it is not for a player like Sabalenka, who has featured in nine semifinals in 2025 and lost just two of them.

Out of the three Grand Slams, Sabalenka has lost in the final in two of them. At the Australian Open, she came second-best against America’s Madison Keys, who emerged victorious with a score of 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. Then at the French Open, Sabalenka lost to another American player, Coco Gauff, in the final with a score of 6-7, 6-2, 6-4. During that contest, Sabalenka ended up making 70 unforced errors.

After that final, a visibly distraught Sabalenka made some controversial comments, which brought her a lot of criticism. “If Iga [Swiatek] would won against me the other day, I think she would go out and she would get the win,” she said back then. “Yeah, it just hurts. Honestly hurts. I’ve been playing really well, and then in the last match, go out there and perform like I did.”

Later, Sabalenka had to apologise for those comments. "That was just completely unprofessional of me,” she said back then. “I let my emotions get the better of me. I absolutely regret what I said back then. You know, we all make mistakes. I’m just a human being who’s still learning in life. I think we all have those days when we lose control. The difference with me is, the world is watching. I get a lot more hate for what I did than other people."

Learning from tough lessons

In the third Grand Slam of the year, Sabalenka suffered a shocking defeat in the semifinal against America’s Amanda Anisimova with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Sabalenka’s most recent appearance was at the Cincinnati Open, where she was knocked out after losing in the quarterfinal to Belarus’ Elena Rybakina in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-4.

Sabalenka’s next assignment will be the upcoming US Open. The fourth and final Grand Slam of the year will begin on Sunday. Sabalenka will be coming into the tournament slightly short on confidence, as she has not won any competition, lifting the Madrid Open in May, where she defeated Gauff in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6.

Since then, Sabalenka has featured in five events and has only managed to secure a spot in the final on one occasion. Sabalenka will be the defending champion at the Flashing Meadows. She lifted the title last year after beating America’s Jessica Pegula in the final in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 7-5. Talking ahead of the competition, Sabalenka spoke to the media and admitted that she has learnt some ‘tough lessons’ this season.

Sabalenka also stated that she had a very good season while playing in the Grand Slams and remains optimistic about her chances in New York, which, according to her, is her ‘favourite’ slam. "I've had a pretty good season so far in the Slams. Lost those two finals but I learned really tough lessons," said Sabalenka. "I lost in semis at Wimbledon but the consistency is there. I'm just missing a little, little part. (The US Open) has always been my favorite slam. I'm defending champion, and I love being in this position."

Sabalenka expressed optimism that the lessons she learnt in the recent past, especially defeats in Grand Slam finals, will eventually help her going into the US Open. "I really hope those tough lessons are going to help me in this one,” said Sabalenka.