“I'm better at handling difficult situations on my own”: Aryna Sabalenka on psychological help and personal struggles

Aryna Sabalenka recently stated that she believes psychological support can be a powerful tool, but it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The world No. 1 arrives in Indian Wells as the favourite, looking to redeem herself after a disappointing Middle East Swing, where she secured just one win and suffered two defeats in Doha and Dubai.

The three-time Grand Slam champion lost in the Australian Open final nearly a month ago to American Madison Keys, ending her 20-match winning streak in Melbourne.

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Sabalenka weighs in on psychology in tennis

Keys, currently ranked world No. 5, stunned the field by clinching her maiden major title at the age of 30, seven years after reaching her first Grand Slam final. She defeated Sabaelnka by 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. The American had remained among the top players for several years but had struggled to return to a final despite making four Grand Slam semifinal appearances since 2018.

Aryna Sabalenka at 2025 Australian Open final against Keys.

One of the key factors behind Keys’ breakthrough was the psychological work she had done in recent months, which helped her manage her emotions better—ultimately reflecting in her performances on the court.

While acknowledging that players like Madison Keys have benefited from psychological consultations, Sabalenka stressed that each individual must find what works best for them. "I worked with psychologists for four or five years, so I have learned a lot about that part, and I think I had a lot of tough situations in my life, and I handled them pretty well on my own.”

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"I'm the one who is better at handling difficult situations by myself than asking someone for help," the 26-year-old added. "I'm not saying that there is something right or wrong. It's all about who you are and what you feel like you need. I have my great team, who is my family, and they're my biggest support, and I don't need someone from the outside to help me handle my struggles."

"But it's great that she realised she needed it and asked for help, and that's good,” the world No. 1 stated. That’s it. You know, for her, this is the best option. For me, not really asking for help is the best option. We are all different, and there is nothing right or wrong."

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Sabalenka will make her Indian Wells debut on Friday, 7 March, awaiting the winner of Anna Blinkova and McCartney Kessler (Q). Her best result at Tennis Paradise came in 2023 when she reached the final but fell to Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina.

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