Patrick Mouratoglou Tells Aryna Sabalenka What Is ‘Preventing’ Her From Winning More Grand Slam Titles

Aryna Sabalenka has time and again talked about the need to manage her emotions. Often in tough situations, emotions have gotten the better of her, and as a result, she has ended up losing the matches.

The same happened during the US Open final against Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka was a bundle of emotions. She threw her racket multiple times and also broke it after losing the match.

Although Jessica Pegula, whom she defeated in the semifinals, believes the former World No.1 turns dangerous when she gets mad, Patrick Mouratoglou is not of the same opinion. According to Serena Williams‘ former coach, emotions are preventing the 28-year-old from winning more Grand Slam titles.

I’m not here to give advice, but she definitely needs to figure out how to manage her emotions better. I think that’s the only thing that prevents her from being a No.2 in the world now and someone who doesn’t win Grand Slams anymore to someone who’s gonna win many more and who potentially can come back to No. 1.

Patrick Mouratoglou said on his YouTube channel

Sabalenka would have become the third woman in the Open Era to complete the hat-trick of the US Open after Chris Evert and Williams had she defeated the Kazakh ace. The four-time Grand Slam singles champion not only lost the final but also her No.1 ranking. After staying at No. 1 for 99 consecutive weeks, Sabalenka was dethroned by Rybakina. The 27-year-old reached her career-best ranking.

Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka remind Patrick Mouratoglou of Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe

The US Open final between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina was also a clash of two opposite personalities. Sabalenka wore her heart on her sleeve, while Rybakina was calm and composed most of the time. Patrick Mouratoglou took to his LinkedIn and compared the two to John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg.

What fascinates me is that this final opposed the world’s two best players, with opposite personalities. One is the fire, one is the ice. I don’t think I need to tell you who is who. It reminds me of McEnroe and Borg. Bjorn, always in control, not one word. John, breaking rackets, getting angry. One big difference: McEnroe played much better when he was angry. When Aryna gets angry, she loses her tennis.

Sabalenka last added a title to her trophy cabinet in March when she won the Miami Open by defeating Coco Gauff, also completing the rare Sunshine Double. Since that win, Sabalenka has played only one final, at the US Open. The Miami title was Sabalenka’s third title of the season after wins in Brisbane and Indian Wells.

For Rybakina, the title in the New York Major was her third title in her fifth final of the season. Apart from the US Open, she won the Australian Open by beating Sabalenka and the Stuttgart Open by defeating Karolina Muchova, the Wimbledon runner-up. She lost two finals, in Indian Wells to Sabalenka and the Canadian Open to Iga Swiatek.

Both the World No.1 and the World No.2 will next be competing at the China Open. The WTA 1000 event in Beijing is scheduled to start on September 30. Amanda Anisimova will be competing as the defending champion. She beat Linda Noskova in the final last year.

Rybakina made her debut at the China Open in 2023 and reached the semifinals. In her second appearance last year, her run ended in the third round. Sabalenka has so far made four appearances in the tournament, reaching the quarterfinals three times, including last year.

Also read: Grigor Dimitrov Feels the Same Way as Novak Djokovic: “A Part of Me Left with Roger and Rafa”