Sabalenka admits: "I don't think I'm that hungry on the court".
After losing in the first round in Doha, Aryna Sabalenka was eliminated in the second round in Dubai.
After a good start to the season, marked by a title in Brisbane and a final at the Australian Open, this is a real setback for the Belarusian.
She explains her defeats: "I don't think I'm that hungry on the court.
I'm all over the place in my thoughts and I'm not consistent on the court.
The decisions I make on the court are wrong and emotionally, I'm not at my best.
I'd say that, for the last few years, I've not been doing well in the Middle East. I think we need to change something in our preparation.
I don't feel good every time I play here. Even health-wise, I'm in trouble. Australia always takes up a lot of my energy.
I think we just need to think with the team in the future about how we can improve or progress in our preparation for the Middle East."
Sabalenka will be looking to respond at Indian Wells in early March.
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