World number one Aryna Sabalenka has revealed she considered quitting tennis after a stunning defeat to Diana Shnaider in the quarter-finals of the French Open. The Belarusian star lost 6-3, 5-7, 0-6 to the Russian qualifier, who produced the biggest upset of the tournament.
Sabalenka's Emotional Outburst
Speaking after the match, a visibly distraught Sabalenka said: "I just want to quit right now. I lost my mind in the second set and I couldn't get back. It's really tough to take." The 26-year-old admitted she had no answers to Shnaider's aggressive play and felt mentally drained.
A Stunning Collapse
Sabalenka started strongly, taking the first set 6-3. However, Shnaider fought back to win the second set 7-5, breaking Sabalenka's serve twice. The third set was a complete capitulation, with Sabalenka failing to win a single game as Shnaider raced to a 6-0 victory.
This is the first time Sabalenka has lost in straight sets at a Grand Slam since 2022. The defeat also ends her hopes of reclaiming the world number one ranking from Iga Swiatek, who is still in the tournament.
Shnaider's Dream Run Continues
Diana Shnaider, ranked 98th in the world, described the win as the best moment of her career. "I can't believe it. I played my best tennis and she made some mistakes. I'm so happy," said the 20-year-old. She will now face either Coco Gauff or Ons Jabeur in the semi-finals.
Sabalenka's comments have raised concerns about her mental state ahead of the grass-court season. The three-time Grand Slam champion has been open about her struggles with pressure in the past, but this is the first time she has spoken about quitting.
Fans and former players have rallied around Sabalenka, urging her to take a break and regroup. "She's a champion. She'll come back stronger," tweeted former world number one Martina Navratilova.
