Aryna Sabalenka couldn’t handle the pressure as she was eliminated at the Wimbledon semifinals. A defeat hard to stomach for her. Leading by a set and a break against Ons Jabeur, the Belarusian started to lose all certainty and suffered a painful comeback.A comeback that will not allow her to overtake Iga Swiatek in the standings and to fight to win the second Major in her career.
Sabalenka: “It’s hard to talk.
Tough defeat”
In the press conference, Aryna explained: “It’s hard to talk. I don’t know. I had so many opportunities and I didn’t take them. You played better than me in key moments. It’s a tough defeat. We are certainly talking about one of my best vintages.
I can’t complain about my results, but it’s hard to bounce back after this kind of game.US Open? I hope to do better than in the last two semi-finals! I didn’t play my best tennis today. She was a bit nervous and in some circumstances I was unlucky.
You played really well and expressed incredible tennis. I didn’t play like I should have in the important moments. Her serve doesn’t bounce here at all. It’s really hard to find the rhythm in response against her.”The crowd quickly picked sides and the support for Jabeur was warm.
Sabalenka said about: “I expected it, I knew they would support her more. But what can I do about it? I know many people watch my games on television. I have the support of my team and my family, and that’s enough. I’m proud to have reached the semi-finals, but also disappointed to have lost.There are many things I can improve, especially from a mental point of view.
I hope to come back here much stronger next year. I wouldn’t say I was thinking a lot about being number one. I will try to do everything possible to finish the season in first position in the rankings.”
