Back-to-back losses never sit well with a player, much less if someone is the World No. 1. Aryna Sabalenka is caught up in a similar spell. The Belarusian star started the season strong, despite surrounding her bid for a three-peat Australian Open crown to Madison Keys. However, a few weeks later, Sabalenka was ready to dive into the competition once again and, dialed in for the Middle East swing. She came short of her outings but recently found solace in the company of her boyfriend. But, mind you, there’s a catch.

The WTA ranking leader has won just one out of her three contests in the Middle East hardcourt swing. She arrived for the Qatar Open and despite a show of strong force, the Belarusian player couldn’t dig deep in Doha. She lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova in the Round of 32 (her first match). Sabalenka immediately shifted her focus to Dubai and registered a commanding opening-round victory over Veronika Kudermetova. However, what followed hardly echoed a similar energy.

Sabalenka faced a shock straight-set defeat, 6-3, 6-2, at the hands of World No. 38 Clara Tauson on Wednesday, 19 February. This loss meant that she now had zero respawns left to continue her quest for a WTA 1000 Masters title in the Middle East. After accepting her dreadful fate, the World No. 1 found consolation in the presence of her boyfriend, Georgios Frangulis, who always tries to cheer her up. However, their meeting exhibited signs of somberness as Sabalenka was visibly distraught.

The renowned entrepreneur Frangulis took to his Instagram and posted an update for fans where he shared a picture alongside his girlfriend. While the duo is generally captured with all smiles, the situation this time turned on the contrary. The snap showed Sabalenka seated on the opposite side of the table, with clear signs of disappointment written all over her face.

For those unaware, the duo started dating in early 2024. Sabalenka and Frangulis were first spotted together at the Madrid Open in April of that year and later, publicized their relationship by marking appearances in Cincinnati and the US Open. Moreover, their romance went beyond the boundaries of a general relationship dynamic after Frangulis introduced her as the face of his $67M (as of 2024) brand, Oakberry.

As for Sabalenka’s recent losses, the World No. 1 reserved a few words to term the reason behind her sudden downfall.

Aryna Sabalenka admits lacking ‘hunger on court’ following disappointing Dubai loss

Belarusian superstar Aryna Sabalenka is going through a visible slump following her Australian Open campaign in January this year. During a post-match presser in Dubai, the World No. 1 admitted that she had lost her momentum, leading to the recent string of shock results. The 26-year-old insisted that she was all over the place in Dubai and was “not that hungry on court.”

She said, “I believe that I’m not that hungry on the court. I’m kind of all over the place in my thoughts and not consistent on the court. The decisions I’m making on the court are a bit wrong, and emotionally, I’m not at my best.” Sabalenka later revealed struggling with a cold but comforted fans saying she was on her way to recovery.

“Every time I don’t feel well playing here. Even health-wise I’m struggling. Australia always takes a lot of energy out of me. I believe we just need to think with the team for the future how we can improve or get better in the preparation for the Middle East,” she added.

For now, Sabalenka will look to recover and focus on fine-tuning her skills. The World No. 1 needs to be in fine form if she wishes to save face at the upcoming clay court swing and, ultimately, the French Open.