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The Important Lesson Sabalenka Learned About Finals

Sabalenka has a negative finals record in 2025 of 4-5. But she has learned to better mentally manage these important matches.
The Important Lesson Sabalenka Learned About Finals
© AFP
Clément Gehl
le 28/11/2025 à 10h58
1 min to read

Aryna Sabalenka has played 9 finals this 2025 season. However, she has a negative record, with 4 wins and 5 losses.

In comments gathered by ESPN Brasil, the Belarusian revealed a mindset issue explaining these losses.

"Reaching the final does not guarantee victory"

She stated: "I understood that simply reaching the final does not guarantee victory. Yes, you are in the final, but that doesn't mean you are going to win. Yet, at every decisive match early in the season, I felt like everything was playing in my favor.

I won titles, but I also suffered many defeats because my expectations were too high and the pressure was too strong when things went wrong."

A lesson that paid off at the US Open

After two consecutive losses in Grand Slam finals at the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, Sabalenka finally won the US Open by defeating Amanda Anisimova.

She explained: "So I learned to approach every match with a hunger for victory, without knowing what was going to happen, and to overcome difficulties each time.

I think that's what allowed me to lift the US Open trophy: my mindset was different from that of my two previous Grand Slam finals."

Aryna Sabalenka
1e, 10870 points
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Community
8j

As we move to the end of this month and also closing out the year I am wishing all of those following me a Merry Christmas and a Happy/Healthy New Year.

Let's make that wish for all 2000 plus players hoping for 5 wins each day. Hoping ŵhen we open the results page to see all green, and no red. And especially NO CANCELED matches.

From me and my rotti JAZ, I bid you all good night, and see you in...

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9j

I love tennis

18j

why did tennis tonic void predictions on the match between Chwalinska and Huergo at the Quito tournament? The match was played to completion and on time. If TT feels the match is one sided, and of course it was, then don't put it up for prediction. This is getting irritating.

18j

The finals are here, and we scramble for the best finish. I've been chasing "King" all year and I was able to shrink the spread a little. Skelp is also closing the gap.

Seasons best to all the regulars in our league.

Will you all be back in the new year.?

20j

Steffi Graf completed a Golden Slam (not just a career Grand Slam) when she was 19. She is the only person to accomplish that, winning the four majors plus Olympic gold the same calendar year.