"Experience is key for Grand Slam success" believes Aryna Sabalenka

She reached the semifinals at both Wimbledon and the US Open which is by far the best results she ever had at those events. Sabalenka has been developing a reputation of bombing early in grand slams which she finally got rid of this year. In each of those semifinal matchups, Sabalenka was favoured so her defeats still came as a surprise to many which is something she hopes to change in the future. Remembering that she said:

“I would go back to my semifinal matches at the US Open and Wimbledon. I would have tried to do everything differently – maybe I would have been less nervous. The game was very nervous, and I would have returned to these matches to worry less.”

Sabalenka also admitted to working with a psychologist which greatly improved her mental strength. It's something other players have spoken about in the past (Swiatek) noting just how important it is. With several big results and titles this year, there is proof that for Sabalenka, it's working as well.

“I have been working with a psychologist for a very long time. In fact, if you look at me 4 years ago and now, I have improved my psychological condition. It seems to me that no psychologist will prepare me for these situations (in Grand Slams). You need to go through it yourself, feel it, get nervous, understand this situation for yourself."

She also highlighted her strong belief that next time she will do much better:

“I’m more than sure that the next semifinal at the Slam I won’t be so nervous. I will act more confidently, I won’t make the stupid errors that I made in important moments in the last semi-final. It’s a matter of experience, you need to go through it. I don’t think a psychologist will be able to prepare for this.”

Sabalenka is the top seed in Moscow at the Kremlin Cup and she will face Ajla Tomljanovic in the 2nd round.