'Tough to control emotions' as Sabalenka suffers another near miss

Aryna Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, battled with her emotions as she suffered another near miss in the US Open final. Following a 6-4 5-7 6-2 loss to Elena Rybakina, Sabalenka appeared visibly disappointed and struggled to control her feelings. The Belarusian had not won a Grand Slam title since 2022, and this defeat left her with much to ponder.

Not only had Rybakina claimed her third Grand Slam title, but she also dethroned Sabalenka as the world number one after 99 weeks at the summit. Defeat meant Sabalenka would end the year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2022. Throughout the match, Sabalenka could not suppress her frustrations, slamming her racquet to the ground after a break point and later spitting an expletive when congratulating Rybakina.

Former British number one Annabel Croft suggested that Sabalenka's negative self-talk and emotional outbursts may have contributed to her downfall, highlighting the importance of channeling emotions constructively during major tournaments. Despite the setback, Sabalenka remained hopeful, emphasizing that her experience would only make her stronger in the future.