Aryna Sabalenka’s unexpected quarter-final defeat to Diana Shnaider at Roland Garros became one of the tournament’s biggest talking points, but it was her emotional remarks afterward that captured even more attention.
The World No. 1 looked heartbroken during her post-match press conference, admitting: “I have no thoughts, no emotions. Right now, I just want to quit tennis.”
In the aftermath of the loss, Sabalenka revealed that she turned to a therapist for support. Her performance coach, Jason Stacy, has since spoken about the moment, explaining that he understood her comments as an honest reaction to a painful setback.
Stacy said he did not view her words as alarming, believing they reflected the emotions of an athlete dealing with a tough defeat. Rather than stepping in immediately, he felt it was best to give her the space she needed to process what had happened.
Although the loss affected the entire team, Stacy commended Sabalenka for her honesty and willingness to express how she felt. He noted that having more time before speaking to reporters might have helped her collect her thoughts, but considering the interview came shortly after leaving the court, her emotional response was completely understandable.
Referencing ideas from his upcoming book, The Pressure Code, Stacy stressed that every athlete must navigate difficult moments in their own way. He believes Sabalenka’s readiness to show vulnerability is one of the reasons she has risen to the top of the sport.
According to Stacy, the highs and lows of Sabalenka’s career both reflect her authentic character. He sees her openness—even in challenging moments—as a major factor in her development both on and off the court.
Now, Sabalenka is focusing on her preparations for the Berlin Open before setting her sights on Wimbledon Championships, where she will be aiming to win the coveted title for the first time.
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