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Aryna Sabalenka was knocked out of the 2023 French Open by Karolina Muchova on Thursday (June 8). The Czech defeated Sabalenka 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 7-5 in a thriller, securing passage to her maiden Grand Slam final.
Sabalenka was aiming for the World No. 1 ranking, a second Grand Slam title, and a first Major on the Parisian clay. She fought valiantly, taking a big lead in the last set through her powerful shots, but eventually succumbed to the pressure of the occasion.
Aryna Sabalenka was asked at her post-loss presser if her motivation to play tennis had waned in the last few weeks because of her mental health scare. After a heated press conference involving an Ukrainian journalist last week, the World No. 2 had skipped the next two interactions with the media citing mental health.
Sabalenka responded firmly to the question on Thursday, stating that it was nothing like that. She remarked that the only thing she excelled at in her life was playing tennis, and that the idea of stopping to play the sport never crossed her mind.
"No, there wasn't anything like that. Yeah, I felt bad emotionally after one press conference. As I said, I couldn't sleep. But the only thing I can do well in this life is play tennis, so I try to focus on things I could control and I could do," she said.
"So there wasn't any moment when I was, like, I don't want to play tennis. No, I really want to play tennis. That's the only thing I do well in life and I have some control, so that's okay," she added.
The 2023 Australian Open champion then said the previous few weeks had been a roller coaster of emotional challenges, before expressing hope of overcoming them and emerging stronger.
"It's been great couple of weeks with some challenges, emotional challenges, but I think I get through it. I don't know. I think I'll be stronger," Aryna Sabalenka said.
"I'm very disappointed with this tough loss" - Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka discussed her match against Karolina Muchova at length, admitting that she was disappointed with her performance but accepting that her opponent played "unbelievable" tennis.
"Yeah, tough match. Yeah, she played unbelievable tennis. Still, I had a lot of opportunities, and I didn't use it. Yeah, of course I'm very disappointed with this tough loss, but that's okay," Sabalenka said.
The World No. 2 went on to say she was satisfied that she fought for every opportunity in the match.
"Not like super extra pressure. I felt good. I fight for every opportunity. Then, yeah, I mean, emotionally I felt really good. I don't know. It's just tough to say anything about this match (smiling)," Sabalenka said.
