In a shocking statement that has left fans stunned, Coach Anton Dubrov has opened up about the real reasons behind Aryna Sabalenka’s recent loss on the court. The Belarusian star, who has been known for her powerful game and aggressive playstyle, struggled in her latest match, and Dubrov believes the primary reasons for her defeat were her overwhelming pride and inability to stay focused during the game.
Coach Dubrov, visibly frustrated, shared his perspective in an emotional post-match interview. “I tried to advise her and correct her mistakes, but she always argued and resisted me, leading her to make errors on the court due to her stubbornness,” he said. “It’s deserved when she tries to argue with me. I know her potential, but her high pride often gets in the way.”
While Sabalenka has established herself as one of the most formidable players in women’s tennis, her lack of mental focus and excessive self-pride have often been her undoing. According to Dubrov, instead of accepting guidance and adjusting her approach during matches, the 25-year-old player becomes defensive and refuses to listen, often leading to unnecessary mistakes.
Dubrov pointed out that Sabalenka’s high self-esteem, while a strength in many ways, also poses a significant challenge when it comes to taking advice. “She’s very talented, but her pride is too high. She doesn’t take advice from anyone, and that’s something we’ve been working on,” Dubrov continued. “When you’re as good as she is, sometimes the biggest hurdle is not your physical game, but your mental game. And in this match, her focus was off.”
Sabalenka’s pride, Dubrov explains, prevents her from fully committing to a collaborative approach with her team, a crucial aspect of improvement. “It’s difficult to coach someone who doesn’t want to accept advice. She believes in her own way too much, and in the end, it hurts her performance.”
The coach’s frustrations aren’t new, as this has been a recurring issue for Sabalenka in several high-stakes matches. Despite her powerful serve and aggressive style, her inability to stay mentally grounded and focus on the task at hand has led to repeated mistakes in critical moments.
While it’s clear that Sabalenka has immense talent, Dubrov’s comments suggest that her mental game needs more attention if she hopes to reach her full potential. “She’s a fantastic player,” he emphasized. “But until she learns to manage her pride and focus more on her game than on defending herself, she’ll continue to fall short in big moments.”
Sabalenka’s ability to refocus and learn from these moments will be critical in her future success. Tennis, like many other sports, is not just about physical strength and technical skills but also about mental resilience. For Sabalenka, addressing her pride and maintaining concentration on the match at hand could be the key to unlocking her full potential and ensuring her continued rise in the sport.
As of now, Sabalenka and Dubrov will likely continue working together to address these mental barriers, but whether she can overcome them remains to be seen. In the highly competitive world of tennis, it’s not only the most talented players who succeed, but those who can also maintain the right mental attitude on and off the court.
