Aryna Sabalenka claims she learned a very valuable lesson from her two Grand Slam final defeats in 2025 as the world No. 1 admits she "terribly controlled my emotions" during the title matches at this year's Australian Open and French Open, but insists she is much calmer now.
After kicking off her 2025 season by winning Brisbane and routinely making the Australian Open final, Sabalenka's three-peat at Melbourne Park seemed like a done deal. But then, the Belarusian tennis star was hit with a cold shower after Madison Keys pulled off an upset and won the Australian Open final 6-3 2-6 7-5.
A few months later, Sabalenka appeared to be cruising toward lifting her maiden French Open title - especially after she went up by a set against Coco Gauff. Then, the Belarusian started to spray unforced errors - finished with 70 of them - as Gauff came back to win 6-7 (5) 6-2 6-4.
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While Sabalenka also picked up a disappointing Wimbledon semifinal defeat, she made amends by winning the US Open title. Now, she is hoping to lift her maiden WTA Finals title.
Sabalenka: I learned that no matter how frustrated I am inside, I have to stay calm
"There was terrible control over my emotions. I think the main lesson that I learned is that no matter what, doesn't matter how I feel, how frustrated I am inside, I still have to try to stay calm and try to think clear, just try to focus on the plan that I have for the match. No matter what, stay in control," the 27-year-old admitted.
For her new mindset, Sabalenka credits Novak Djokovic's help.
"How to stay settled and how to look at everything as you're looking from the outside on the situation on the court, off the court. Just to, like, be able to sit back and look at everything," the world No. 1 said when explaining how Djokovic helped her with his advice.
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Sabalenka plays against Jasmine Paolini in her opening WTA Finals match.
