Aryna Sabalenka's performance coach, Jason Stacy, has acknowledged that the team may have made a scheduling error that contributed to the tennis star's surprising French Open quarterfinal exit. The world No. 1 suffered a dramatic collapse against Diana Shnaider, losing ten consecutive games after holding a commanding lead in the second set.
Stacy indicated that while the decisions made at the time seemed sound, the results ultimately showed otherwise. He accepted responsibility for the approach taken during the clay-court season, which he stated did not yield the desired outcomes. Sabalenka, who had previously expressed a desire to "quit tennis" immediately after her French Open defeat, has since returned to competition on the grass courts of Berlin. She has also sought the assistance of a psychologist to help process the disappointment of her Roland Garros campaign.
Despite the French Open setback, Sabalenka has had a strong 2026 season overall, securing three titles including back-to-back WTA 1000 crowns and reaching the final of the Australian Open. She recently advanced to the quarterfinals of the Berlin Open, defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova in her first grass-court match of the season. The Belarusian's performance coach emphasized that the team is focused on moving forward, with Sabalenka currently ranked world No. 1.
Sabalenka's friend and fellow tennis player Paula Badosa recently shared details about her breakup with Stefanos Tsitsipas, with Sabalenka reportedly reacting with enthusiastic support. While this personal news provides a glimpse into Sabalenka's off-court life, the focus remains on her return to form on the court.
