“It wasn’t that Coco played out of this world,” Aryna Sabalenka admitted in June after falling to Coco Gauff in the Roland Garros final, pointing to the 70-plus unforced errors that haunted her game. Fans erupted online, criticizing what they saw as a lapse in sportsmanship, a sentiment Sabalenka herself later called “completely unprofessional” before Wimbledon. Yet, after conquering the US Open later this year, Sabalenka’s focus shifted. As the WTA Finals approach, Martina Navratilova now reveals that Coco Gauff’s shadow continues to haunt Sabalenka.

Martina Navratilova, an eight-time WTA Finals champion, nearly double the victories of any other player, shared her insights on Aryna Sabalenka ahead of Riyadh. “Incredibly consistent and excellent. One major win, two finals and a semifinal. She was only three or four matches from winning the Grand Slam. Her consistency is not to be underestimated,” Navratilova said, highlighting Sabalenka’s remarkable run this season across the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open, as well as her Wimbledon semi-final loss to Amanda Anisimova. Her words painted a portrait of a player whose season-long discipline and mental toughness make her a formidable contender.

“There are so many players you can lose to these days, you have to be on your game at all times, and she was,” Navratilova continued. She praised Sabalenka’s ability to peak at all the majors, noting, “She’s still rueing the French Open more than anything. She could have won that match against Coco Gauff. But she bounced back and reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, where she was beaten by Amanda Anisimova rather than beating herself. Then she won the US Open pretty decisively.” The remarks underscored Sabalenka’s resilience, the ability to turn disappointment into motivation and maintain focus under relentless pressure.

On the technical front, Navratilova emphasized Sabalenka’s lethal versatility. “She’s the heavy favorite on any surface, but particularly on a medium-pace hard court where you get a solid bounce and good footing,” she said. “Her shots pay off on any surface, and she has enough time to get into position. It’s fast enough for her to do damage and slow enough for her to prepare for her shots. She’s deadly on this stuff.” The icon’s analysis highlighted the Belarusian’s combination of timing, power, and strategic positioning, attributes that make her one of the most dangerous players on tour.

Sabalenka enters Riyadh leading the WTA Race with 9,990 points for the season, positioning herself to potentially secure back-to-back year-end world No. 1 finishes. A two-time champion at both the US Open and Australian Open, the WTA Finals remains arguably the crown jewel she has yet to claim outside Roland Garros and Wimbledon. 

Her consistency is evident: she has qualified for the WTA Finals every year since 2021, with her best result being a runner-up finish to Caroline Garcia in Fort Worth in 2022.

Last season in Riyadh, Sabalenka dominated her round-robin group, winning two of her three matches, before falling to eventual champion Coco Gauff in the semifinals. This year, the field is set following Elena Rybakina’s recent qualification, and Sabalenka is slated as the top seed in her first tournament since her Wuhan Open semi-final defeat. Expectations are high, and all eyes will be on her as she aims to convert her season-long momentum into a WTA Finals title.

As the road to Riyadh intensifies, the journey has taken its toll, but Sabalenka’s love for the game remains unwavering. Her relentless dedication, focus under pressure, and sheer joy in competing have defined her season. 

On the court, she has fought, learned, and evolved, ready to chase glory once more as she steps into the desert lights, poised to leave an indelible mark on the WTA Finals.

Aryna Sabalenka opens up about her tennis transformation after a tragedy

The WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was in Hong Kong on October 14 for “The Wisdom of Champions”, a Prudential NextGen Aces session featuring tennis legend Andre Agassi. The initiative aims to inspire young athletes by connecting them with champions who share their journeys, motivation, and hard-earned lessons. And there is perhaps no one better than Sabalenka to convey that message, as she has turned her own hardships into a driving force on the court.

In a tweet shared by Liviefromparis that day, Sabalenka opened up about how her father’s passing reshaped her relationship with tennis. “For me, tennis became something bigger when I lost my father,” the 4-time Grand Slam champion said. “So I just want to see how far I can get in this sport, and I want to inspire the next generation.” Her father died of meningitis in 2019 at just 43, when Sabalenka was 21 and navigating life as a rising professional.

The tragedy could have broken her, but instead, it forged a vision. Tennis became more than a career; it became her mission, a way to honor her father’s memory and leave a lasting legacy. Every match, every point, became a testament to resilience and purpose. With the WTA Finals looming, Sabalenka is ready to translate that resolve into results. The tournament will feature the eight best players in the world, promising fierce competition and high stakes.

But Sabalenka is undeterred. Her journey, shaped by loss and ambition, has prepared her for moments like this. 

She is not just chasing trophies; she is chasing impact, inspiration, and a legacy that transcends the court.