Aryna Sabalenka has reached the pinnacle of professional tennis.
She has won three Grand Slams, the most prestigious titles in the game, and claimed the world number one ranking.
The 27-year-old has been the most consistent player since the start of 2024, and it will take a high level of performance to knock her off the WTA Tour’s summit.
But as much as she is enjoying her success, there is an aspect of being a professional athlete that Aryna Sabalenka finds quite frustrating.
Photo by Tim Clayton/Getty ImagesAryna Sabalenka says being judged on results is what she hates about being an athlete
There are plenty of positives to being a high-level professional athlete.
There are plenty of financial positives, as well as fame and adoration from millions of people for being supremely talented.
Playing tennis, a sport Sabalenka has such a great passion for, must be a dream come true. But in a video posted to her YouTube channel after Wimbledon, Sabalenka expressed a wish that the life of a sportsperson was not so results-driven.’
“I think it’s important to go and have fun and enjoy life. But it’s so f—— annoying about being an athlete, honestly. All your life depends on your result,” the Belarusian said.
“You win and you are the happiest person that you can be. You just enjoy, life feels so good. But when you lose it’s just tough to enjoy.
“I am going to be there on the beach thinking it’s so beautiful, but I lost. I am such a loser. I hate myself. It’s like you are constantly living your life in these ups and downs.”
Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty ImagesAryna Sabalenka will not be competing at the upcoming Canadian Open
Sabalenka last played at Wimbledon, where she lost to Amanda Anisimova in the semi-finals.
Despite being the top seed and many of her closest rivals losing early, Sabalenka succumbed to a three-set defeat against the American.
She did not play at the Citi Open in Washington D.C. and she also pulled out of the upcoming Canadian Open in Montreal.
“I’m looking forward to kicking off the North American hard-court swing, but to give myself the best chance for success this season, I’ve decided it’s in my best interest to skip Montreal,” she wrote.
It is likely that Sabalenka’s next tournament will be the Cincinnati Masters, where she is the defending champion.