Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki explains why Sabalenka’s early exit was not a surprise despite No. 1 ranking
WTAWednesday, 15 July 2026 at 02:30
Aryna Sabalenka’s Wimbledon campaign ended earlier than expected, but former finalist Sabine Lisicki believes the world No. 1’s fourth-round defeat should not be considered a major setback. Instead, the German believes Sabalenka simply ran into one of the most dangerous opponents in the draw at a stage where such a matchup could have decided the title.
Sabalenka, who was aiming to win her maiden Wimbledon title and fifth Grand Slam trophy, was defeated by Naomi Osaka 6-2, 7-6(2) in the fourth round at the All England Club. The loss ended one of the most impressive Grand Slam consistency streaks in recent WTA history, as the Belarusian failed to reach the quarter-finals at a major for the first time since Roland Garros 2022.
Speaking to Tennis365, Lisicki explained that Sabalenka’s recent difficulties were not only related to her tennis, but also to the pressure created when a player starts feeling that a Grand Slam opportunity is within reach. The former world No. 12, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2013, believes expectations can become an additional challenge even for the best players in the world.
“She’s been playing amazingly, and she’s number one for a reason,” Lisicki said. “We all saw what happened at the French Open, and that’s the tricky part — when you see a draw opening up so much that the player has the feeling, ‘Oh, it’s the title to grab for me now’, that also adds a lot of pressure.”
"Sometimes the draw just plays out that way"
Sabalenka arrived at Wimbledon after a difficult period following her Roland Garros quarter-final defeat to Diana Shnaider and her Berlin semifinal loss against Jessica Pegula, where she lost the deciding set 6-0. However, Lisicki believes the Belarusian had already started to recover and showed a better level at the All England Club.
“I think we saw that pressure on Sabalenka at the French Open, that she crumbled there. I feel like it took a while for her to recover from it,” Lisicki explained. “I saw her playing in Berlin, and she was also struggling there, so I actually thought she started really well here [at Wimbledon], she played very good.”
Aryna Sabalenka leaves Center Court after her fourth-round loss to Naomi Osaka at Wimbledon 2026.
The German also highlighted that Sabalenka’s fourth-round opponent was a particularly difficult draw. Osaka, a former world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion, entered Wimbledon as the No. 14 seed while continuing her climb back up the rankings.
“It’s a close match against Naomi. So close, just a few points here and there,” Lisicki said. “So, I don’t think this match — it could have been a final, to be for real — sometimes the draw just plays out that way, and it is an earlier matchup, because Naomi isn’t seeded high enough yet.”
“I wouldn’t say it was a loss that shouldn’t happen”: Lisicki backs Sabalenka
Sabalenka’s defeat ended her run of 14 consecutive Grand Slam tournaments reaching at least the quarter-finals, a streak that began at the 2022 US Open. During that period, she reached eight major finals, won four Grand Slam titles and established herself as the most consistent player on the WTA Tour.
Despite the early exit, Lisicki believes the result should be viewed in context rather than as a sign of decline for the world No. 1. “So, this tournament, I actually think she played pretty good, so I wouldn’t say — yes, it was an earlier exit; not expected for her — but seeing the draw, I don’t think it was a loss that shouldn’t happen,” she added.
Sabalenka will now turn her attention to the North American hard-court swing, where she will aim to rebuild momentum before the US Open. The Belarusian remains one of the leading contenders on tour, but the next stage of the season will test her ability to handle the pressure that comes with being the player everyone wants to beat.
Aryna Sabalenka – 14 consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal appearances
| # | Grand Slam | Year | Result |
| 1 | US Open | 2022 | Semifinal |
| 2 | Australian Open | 2023 | Runner-Up |
| 3 | Roland Garros | 2023 | Semifinal |
| 4 | Wimbledon | 2023 | Semifinal |
| 5 | US Open | 2023 | Champion |
| 6 | Australian Open | 2024 | Champion |
| 7 | Roland Garros | 2024 | Quarterfinal |
| 8 | US Open | 2024 | Champion |
| 9 | Australian Open | 2025 | Runner-Up |
| 10 | Roland Garros | 2025 | Runner-Up |
| 11 | Wimbledon | 2025 | Semifinal |
| 12 | US Open | 2025 | Champion |
| 13 | Australian Open | 2026 | Runner-Up |
| 14 | Roland Garros | 2026 | Quarterfinal |
| Wimbledon | 2026 | Round of 16 |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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