Okay, so if you ask anyone who their biggest childhood hero is, almost everyone will say it’s their father. At least, in my case, it’s my dad all the way! And the same goes for the current World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Time and time again, the 2-time Australian Open winner has expressed her love for her father, Sergey. Take, for example, the last episode of the first season of her Netflix documentary, “Break Point”, where she said, “I lost my father four years ago. We had one dream, that before 25 I will win a couple of Grand Slams.” However, that scene was recorded before she won her first GS at the AO. Now, just short of completing a three-peat at the Happy Slam, she has once again opened up about her father, but, this time, confronting a tough truth about her career following his sudden passing in 2019.
Sergey, a former ice hockey player, played a significant role in Sabalenka’s tennis career. He was the driving force behind the three-time GS singles champion’s decision to pursue tennis. Remember when Aryna shared the story of how all of her tennis journey started? “One day, my dad was just driving me somewhere in the car, and on the way, he saw tennis courts. So he took me to the courts. I really liked it and enjoyed it, and that’s how it was. That’s how it started,” she said. Even, in the “Break Point” documentary, she also reflected on what her father, who passed away in November 2019 at just 43 after suffering from meningitis, would have thought of her becoming a champion after her first AO victory. “I kind of found this relief. He would be proud of me no matter what. I felt free,” she added while talking to her mother, Yulia. And now, nearly six years after Sergey’s passing, the No. 1 seed has once again spoken about her father. However, this time, in a way that may have impacted her career.
A young Aryna Sabalenka pictured with her parents. It’s crazy how she looks like a perfect mix of her mom and dad now. pic.twitter.com/CAlcxoYgYS
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 25, 2023
In a recently concluded photoshoot with Flaunt Magazine, the 2024 US Open winner opened up about how her father’s sudden passing impacted her career. She also admitted how she was giving away points to her opponents with frequent ‘double faults’, thinking about his passing away, indicating that infamous 2022 season. An example? The AO, 2022, third round match against then 100th seed Chinese Wang Xinyu when Sabalenka delivered a staggering 12 double faults. She added, “I don’t know what happened with my mental health, but there was a year when I couldn’t serve. In tennis, if you double fault for the whole match, you cannot get to the level I wanted to be at—win a grand slam. I was struggling for maybe a year and a half. One time, I was like, Okay, I’m done. I just… I cannot. In some ways, it was embarrassing. I couldn’t find a solution, and maybe it was just a sign I had to quit,”. Wait, that’s not it!
She also addressed about her mental state following her father’s sudden passing. In addition, Sabalenka also shared how, after hours of practice and discussions with a psychologist, she realized the biomechanical issue she was struggling with, one that required a coach to help her overcome it.
The WTA top-seeded player, who dealt with some tough personal moments throughout her career, also cited her acts away from social media after her father’s sudden death.
Sabalenka opens up about keeping herself away from filming while in the church
The Belarusian often shares glimpses of her personal life, including moments from her practice sessions. Don’t you remember her famous TikTok dance traditions Down Under? Being an extrovert, the world No. 1 also gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at her tournament experiences. However, the “Flaunt” magazine photoshoot provided the occasion for her to reveal a private act of commemoration dedicated to her deceased father and grandfather.
During the interview, she added, “I’m really open. But I have to say, when I lost my dad, from time to time, I would go to the church and put a candle for his memory and the memory of my grandfather. It’s something you never show on social media. I’m not gonna be the one in the church filming,”.
Even on occasions, she never forgets about remembering her father. Just like after Sergey’s fifth death anniversary, when Sabalenka shared an old image of her father and added an emotional message to her Instagram story. “5 years like you’re my I miss you so much Dad” she added.
On the tennis court, the world No. 1 recently suffered a defeat in the AO final against American Madison Keys. Now, the Belarusian will aim for a strong comeback as she returns to action at the Qatar Open, starting on February 9th. Stay tuned with us to stay updated about the tournament, as well as Aryna Sabalenka!
The post ‘A Sign I Had to Quit’- Aryna Sabalenka Looks Back at Harrowing Past That Made Her Leave the Sport appeared first on EssentiallySports.