Coach Anton Dubrov acknowledges Aryna Sabalenka sometimes may not be the calmest player on the Tour, but adds that fine because "not everybody is always perfect like Roger Federer."
It is not a secret that Sabalenka lost some big matches early in her career because she struggled to control her emotions. In one of her past interviews, the Belarusian herself admitted that the nerves were the reason behind losing her first three Grand Slam semifinals.
After making a breakthrough at the 2023 Australian Open and becoming a Grand Slam champion, Sabalenka credited her work in the mental department and learning to stay calmer for her triumph. Since then, the 27-year-old has won three more Grand Slam titles and spent over 60 weeks at the world No. 1 spot.
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While Sabalenka is now much calmer compared to her younger days, she is still no stranger to losing her emotions. If you can recall, she started panicking during this year's French Open final against Coco Gauff before she lost in three sets.
Now, coach Dubrov reveals that the Belarusian tennis star approached the team after the French Open final and admitted that she made "a mistake."
Dubrov: She's working on controlling her emotions, and speaks honestly when she makes a mistake
Just honest discussions. What you want is here [holding out his right hand]; what you experienced right now is here [left hand]. Theres this gap between the two and trying to work on it. Shes trying to work on it. Shes more honest about it. I like this. Even after Paris, she was open to talk about it, like `Yeah, I was wrong, this is my mistake. We are all humans. Whats next? Not everybody is like Roger Federer, always perfect all the time," Dubrov told the WTA website.
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Sabalenka won her fourth Grand Slam title at this year's US Open, but also had a couple of heartbreaking losses in 2025 after losing back-to-back Major finals at the Australian Open and the French Open, as well as falling short to Elena Rybakina in the WTA Finals final.
