Sabalenka Blows 6-3, 5-3 French Open Lead, Then Vows Not to Quit
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 27
Sabalenka Blows 6-3, 5-3 French Open Lead, Then Vows Not to Quit
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 27
Summary
Aryna Sabalenka said she is “definitely not quitting” tennis after her French Open quarter-final collapse, where the world No. 1 lost 10 straight games from a 6-3, 5-3 lead to Diana Shnaider.
Windy conditions and organizers’ decision to keep the roof open fueled the meltdown, Sabalenka said, arguing the match turned “ugly” in near-hurricane conditions as her shots repeatedly flew long.
The 28-year-old acknowledged she was still in shock when she told reporters in Paris, “I just want to quit tennis right now,” but said she had simply stated how she felt in the moment.
Sabalenka contrasted that outburst with her 2025 French Open final loss to Coco Gauff, after which she apologized for dismissive remarks and later publicly reconciled with Gauff.
The defeat again highlighted the emotional volatility that has shadowed a player with 4 Grand Slam singles titles as she heads to Wimbledon still trying to process what she called “a slap in the face.”