Aryna Sabalenka Unleashes Huge Rant on Critics Trying to Damage her Brand After the Roland Garros Final Defeat

Aryna Sabalenka has not won a Grand Slam in 2025 so far, despite reaching the finals twice.

Aryna Sabalenka Unleashes Huge Rant on Critics Trying to Damage her Brand After the Roland Garros Final Defeat

Aryna Sabalenka (image via Wimbledon)

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Aryna Sabalenka admitted it is “painful” to be remembered mainly for her emotional outburst at Roland Garros. She said it is difficult when “everyone judges you” for something said in the heat of the moment.

Two months have passed since the French Open, along with another Grand Slam, but the world No. 1 feels the criticism has lingered. Her comments about Coco Gauff after the final loss drew strong backlash, leading to multiple public apologies. She told the reporters:

I like to tell my own story, let people know what I do on and off the court, feel connected with people, and show my more human side. Some people don’t understand the intensity we bring to competition. I faced the press very angry with myself and frustrated with the result. It’s painful to see how in a moment when you say something without clear thinking, everyone judges you, forgetting completely who you are and what you have done before.

Sabalenka explained that she has apologized to Gauff and others many times, yet she still feels defined by that one interview. The incident continues to follow her as she prepares for the next stage of the season. After her Wimbledon semi-final defeat, Sabalenka decided to skip the National Bank Open in Montreal. The upcoming Cincinnati Open will now be her first hard-court event in the lead-up to the US Open.

Aryna Sabalenka makes history heading into the Cincinnati Open

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has reached 50 weeks as world No. 1 in the WTA Rankings, but the biggest celebrations after the 2025 Canadian Open belong to Victoria Mboko and Naomi Osaka. Sabalenka skipped the tournament yet kept her position with a lead of more than 4,000 points over Coco Gauff.

With Gauff losing early in Montreal, the gap grew to 4,341 points, while Iga Swiatek remains in third place. Sabalenka has now held the top spot for 42 straight weeks since October 2024 and is one week shy of Victoria Azarenka’s tally of 51 weeks.

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka

The Belarusian will have to defend 3,000 points over the next two events, including 1,000 in Cincinnati and 2,000 at the US Open. Gauff and Swiatek missed a chance to close the gap after both exited in the fourth round.

Gauff lost to Mboko, while Swiatek fell to Clara Tauson. Madison Keys moved up two places to No. 6, Elena Rybakina rose to No. 10, and Paula Badosa slipped to No. 12. Tauson jumped to a career-high No. 15 after reaching the semifinals.

Mboko was the standout performer, winning her first WTA title in front of her home fans. Granted a wildcard, she defeated four Grand Slam champions — Sofia Kenin, Gauff, Rybakina, and Naomi Osaka — before overcoming Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the final. Starting the season at No. 333 and ranked No. 85 before the event, she soared 61 spots to No. 24.

Osaka also made a big move, climbing 24 places to No. 25, ensuring both she and Mboko will be seeded at the US Open. Emma Raducanu dropped six spots to No. 39 after a third-round loss but remains the British No. 1. Sonay Kartal is ranked No. 48, while Katie Boulter fell to No. 50. Surprise quarterfinalist Jessica Bouzas Maneiro leapt nine places to No. 41.

Aryna Sabalenka handed difficult draw at Cincinnati Open

Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka faces a major challenge if she wants to defend her Cincinnati Open title. The world No. 1 has already won two WTA 1000 events this season and passed the 11,000-point mark after lifting the Madrid Open trophy. However, she has yet to capture a Grand Slam in 2025, with her latest attempt ending in a Wimbledon semi-final defeat.

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/Roland Garros)

Her draw in Cincinnati is far from straightforward. Sabalenka will open in the second round against either Markéta Vondroušová or Jaqueline Cristian. If she meets Vondroušová, it could start a run where she faces as many as six Grand Slam champions in one tournament.

The Belarusian shares her half of the draw with Emma Raducanu, Venus Williams, Elena Rybakina, Madison Keys, and Iga Swiatek. Navigating that section alone would require consistent high-level performances.

If she reaches the final, potential opponents could include Sofia Kenin, Naomi Osaka, Barbora Krejcikova, Jelena Ostapenko, or Coco Gauff. Winning the title again under these circumstances would make her triumph one of the most hard-earned victories of her career.

Also Read: (Video) Naomi Osaka’s Lack of Intent in Canadian Open Final Gets Called out by Fans – “She Mentally Checked Out”