Aryna Sabalenka Shares How She Turned Things Around After Almost Retiring From Tennis: “It Was a Sign to Quit”

Aryna Sabalenka will be kick-starting her campaign on the North American swing at the Cincinnati Open.

Aryna Sabalenka Shares How She Turned Things Around After Almost Retiring From Tennis: “It Was a Sign to Quit”

Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

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Aryna Sabalenka is currently enjoying her time away from tennis. Reports recently emerged that she will not be playing the Canadian Open.

So she is expected to be back for the Cincinnati Open, which she had won last year by beating Jessica Pegula. Sabalenka was last seen in action at Wimbledon, where she once again failed to progress beyond the semifinals. She suffered a three-set defeat to eventual runner-up Amanda Anisimova, who later lost the final 6-0, 6-0 to six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek.

Before Wimbledon, the Belarusian gave an interview to Cosmopolitan and was asked about the phase of her career when she almost decided to retire from tennis. It was in 2022 when Sabalenka, after continuously struggling with her serve, thought that it would be best for her to quit tennis.

We truly tried everything to fix my serve, and nothing worked. I thought maybe it was a sign to quit and do something else. But it ended up being a turning point for me. I stayed with it, worked even harder, and mentally, I found myself. I got through by trying over and over again. I talked a lot with my team and brought new people into the team.

No player on the WTA Tour has performed as consistently as Sabalenka this season. She has already reached seven finals and won three titles: in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid. Those finals also include the Australian Open and the French Open, both of which she lost to Madison Keys and Coco Gauff, respectively.

Sabalenka will continue her hunt for her first Major of the season at the US Open, where she will be aiming to defend her title. Last year, she beat Pegula to win her first singles title at Flushing Meadows.

Aryna Sabalenka talks about the influence of Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova

Aryna Sabalenka was also asked in that interview with Cosmopolitan about which tennis players inspired her when she was a kid. She named 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams and five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova.

Maria Sharapova Serena Williams 2004 WImbledon
Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams (image via The Times)

I watched Serena and Sharapova’s matches in my early teens. I loved the way they were dominating the tour. I wasn’t really crazy about someone, and there wasn’t someone who inspired me to be an athlete. I think it’s a good thing, because somehow I managed to be and stay in the moment and enjoy what I was doing at the time.

Both Williams and Sharapova have retired from tennis in 2022 and 2020, respectively. Although Sabalenka has a chance to tie or surpass Sharapova’s tally, reaching Williams’ tally is a lot more difficult for the World No.1.

Aryna Sabalenka shares her dreams outside of tennis

Sabalenka, just like Williams, wants to own a makeup brand one day. During that aforementioned interview, Sabalenka was asked what she dreams of doing outside of tennis.

Aryna Sabalenka Miami Open
Aryna Sabalenka (Image via Instagram @arynasabalenka)

I would love to write a book. I also want to have a brand, something fashion-related, or maybe beauty products. It’s a very tough business to get into, but I would love to try.

But at present, the three-time Grand Slam singles champion will be focusing on the North American hard-court swing. Last year, after the tournaments in the States, Sabalenka had played two events in Asia, losing to Karolina Muchova in the China Open quarterfinal and winning the Wuhan Open by beating 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist and home favorite Qinwen Zheng.

At the WTA Finals, however, Sabalenka lost to eventual winner Gauff in the semifinals. This season, Sabalenka has a 47/9 win-loss record. The only events where she couldn’t reach the final were: Qatar Open, Dubai Open, Italian Open, Berlin Open, and Wimbledon.

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