Aryna Sabalenka is preparing for the semifinals of the 2026 Brisbane International, and she is giving fans a rare glimpse into the mindset that drives her success on the tennis court.
Following her quarterfinal victory over Madison Keys on January 8, the Belarusian opened up about how she manages frustration and disappointment during matches.
“Sometimes I just need to throw the racquet, yell something just to let it go out, and then I’m kind of empty inside and ready to build from the beginning,” Sabalenka explained during her post-match press conference.
Mental strength behind the wins
Sabalenka has been working with a sports psychologist for several years, helping her develop tools to stay focused even after mistakes.
She emphasized that experience plays a major role in keeping perspective.
“I know that this one little mistake is not going to change the whole match. It’s okay, it happens, and nobody is perfect. That’s been working pretty well for me,” she said.
Her quarterfinal match against Keys carried additional significance. The pair first met in the 2025 Australian Open final, where Keys took the title. Despite that history, Sabalenka insists she does not dwell on the past.
“I never stay in the past. I know that I lost in Australia against her, and that’s big motivation, of course, to go out and get the win. But every match is new. I’m always looking at it as a fresh match against a new opponent,” she said.
Off the court, Sabalenka also shared a lighthearted moment, receiving a secret gift from a young fan after her win, which she chose to keep private, joking about her team’s involvement.
With her Brisbane semifinal set against Karolina Muchova on January 9, Sabalenka looks focused and prepared, blending mental resilience with her powerful game.
Her strong start to the 2026 season also sets the stage for the Australian Open, which runs from January 12 to February 1 in Melbourne.
Read the full article here
