In a candid revelation, Aryna Sabalenka opened up about her recent struggles in the Middle East following a surprising defeat in Dubai. The top-seeded player confessed she has been feeling off-kilter during tournaments in the region, even admitting a peculiar lack of “hunger” for competition at this time of the year.
The world’s number one ranked player bowed out of the Dubai tournament in the round-of-16, succumbing to 38th ranked Clara Tauson, who trounced her 6-3, 6-2. This followed a disappointing performance in Doha last week, where the three-time Grand Slam champion was defeated after only one match by Ekaterina Alexandrova.
For someone of Sabalenka’s caliber, a 1-2 record in the first two WTA 1000 tournaments of the season is far from satisfactory. However, it appears the 26-year-old’s struggles in the Middle East are not a new phenomenon.
Since her triumphant win in Abu Dhabi in 2021, the Belarusian has struggled to reach the semifinals in any Middle East Swing tournament, particularly in Doha and Dubai.
Sabalenka’s inconsistency on the court is something she readily admits, “For the past few years, I’ve not been performing at my best in the Middle East,” she conceded after her loss to Tauson. “There’s something about my preparation that needs to change because I consistently struggle while playing here.”
Her struggles, she revealed, are not just performance-based but also health-related. “Competing in Australia often leaves me drained of energy,” she confessed. “I feel my hunger for the game is not as strong on the court. I’m scattered in my thoughts and inconsistent. My on-court decisions have been flawed and emotionally, I’m far from my best.”
As she embarked on her Middle East swing in Doha, Sabalenka had confessed to having low expectations. However, the extent of her struggle has been a shock to all, including herself.
Now, with the trying experiences of the past two weeks behind her, the world number one is setting her sights on rebounding at the upcoming tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami. As she faces these challenges, fans and followers alike will be keenly watching her journey, hoping for a return to form.
