Aryna Sabalenka said she was unable to play her best tennis during her semi-final defeat to Ons Jabeur at Wimbledon on Thursday.
The world No.2 was two games away from sealing a place in the final of the grass-court major for the first time in her career after battling to a 7-6(5), 4-2, lead. However, her Tunisian rival clawed her way back to snatch victory. The defeat is a double blow for Sabalenka who would have clinched the No.1 spot if she had won.
“It’s a tough one to speak about. I had so many opportunities and I didn’t use them,” she said afterward.
“I felt like she played a little bit better than me in those key moments.”
The 25-year-old was seeking to win her second major trophy of the season after the Australian Open. Coming into the semi-finals at SW19, she had only dropped one set in five matches played. Among the players she defeated were seeded players Madison Keys and Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Reflecting on her defeat, Sabalenka blamed it on a combination of factors that hindered her. Although she also gives credit to Jabeur who is through to the trophy match for a second year in a row.
“Overall I didn’t play my best tennis today. It was a combo of everything,” Sabalenka evaluated of her performance.
“A little bit of nerves and a little bit of luck for her at some points. She played not fast but (kept the ball) low and sometimes I didn’t expect that many lines (balls hitting the lines). I mean, she played unbelievable tennis.’
“I didn’t play the way I was supposed to play.”
However, it is Sabalenka’s mentality that she feels work needs to be done before she has another shot at Grand Slam glory.
“There are so many things I can improve. It’s more mental stuff that I can improve than my game,” she said.
“Hopefully next time mentally I’ll be tougher in the semifinals.”
Sabalenka is one of only two players on the WTA Tour to have recorded 40 or more wins on the Tour so far this year. The first was Iga Swiatek.
