Aryna Sabalenka recently shared an emotional reaction after her defeat to Naomi Osaka in the fourth round of the Wimbledon Championships, revealing that she just wanted to get “completely drunk.”
Sabalenka’s run at the All England Club ended on Sunday after Osaka claimed a 6-2, 7-6(2) victory. During her postmatch news conference, the Belarusian was asked whether she still felt like the World No. 1 despite the upset and what she needed to do to return to her best. Responding candidly, she said:
“Oh, this question, guys. I mean, let’s just look at the ranking. Right now I’m world No. 1. Level-wise, today I wasn’t world No. 1. Yesterday I was world No. 1. I feel like I just, you know, I don’t even want to think about ranking at this point. I just want to go, get completely drunk, forget about tennis, and try to get in better shape (smiling).”
She further reflected on her performance and her focus during the match:
“I cannot be satisfied with anything today. But I have to say that there was couple times where I could just completely lose it. But I was respectful to the grass and to the next players who is going to play there, so I hold myself really good.”
Aryna Sabalenka reflected on feeling overpowered by Naomi Osaka
While addressing the media, Aryna Sabalenka also weighed in on feeling overpowered by Naomi Osaka. Opening up about working on herself, she said:
“Yeah, it’s actually strange. No, I just think, to be honest, if I would be able to play a little bit better, I feel like my level was really low today, plus she was feeling her best. With every game we would play, I would feel worse, she would feel better. She would just go for her shots freely. I wouldn’t,” Sabalenka SAID.
She added:
“I feel like, yeah, maybe next time I should change something in the preparation, or my approach should be a little bit different to this match. I just feel like honestly I did everything I could with what I had today, and she got a win. Well done. Wish her, once again, the best of luck.”
Aryna Sabalenka opened her campaign on Monday with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Teodora Kostovic to progress to the second round.
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