Aryna Sabalenka’s on-court dominance isn’t just the result of resolute practice and hard work. Her skill of time management and juggling various tasks at hand is as much creditworthy. That’s not all, there are more things the player does to enhance her game including watching a lot of tennis on tv. And the way she strikes the equilibrium between playing and watching tennis reflects how she prioritizes her profession and mental health.

During a post-match press conference, following her one-sided quarterfinal victory over Magdalena Frech at the Wuhan Open, the Belarusian was asked if she watches tennis for the purpose of learning what she may have missed on the court. The question was short, but the world no. 1 gave a multi-faceted answer touching upon schedule management and the need for rest days.

The world No. 2 said, “We talk quite openly with the team. We have a lot of conversations about tennis, about what to improve, about which tactics can work on specific surfaces for me. We talk a lot. Watching tennis? I would say when I’m on the tournament, if they show it on the TV, yeah, it’s always on. I watch it. Some of the things, like I get inspired by. I see the shot and I think, Okay, I have to try this one and see if I can actually use it on court in a match. If it works for me, if it fits my game.” 

Sabalenka also highlighted she turns herself completely away from tennis when she is not on Tour as in her opinion, it’s as important. “Yeah, sometimes I get inspired by other players. I would say that off the tournament time, like, I don’t watch tennis because I just trying to, like, recharge and forget about tennis, focus on different things. When I’m on the tournament, yeah, I would say the Tennis Channel is always on. Let’s be honest. I’m not going to play this school game, I’m not watching tennis. Of course, I do smiling,” said the 3-time major champion.

The U.S. Open champion, Sabalenka, now has an impressive 15-0 record in Wuhan. She won the title in her first appearance in 2018, successfully defended it in 2019, and the tournament was then absent from the calendar for five years. She is headed to the semi-finals to face the 4th-ranked Coco Gauff today. With this, Sabalenka joined Ashleigh Barty as the only players to reach the semi-finals of the Wuhan Open in their first three appearances. If she pulls off the big task, she will become the first player to lift three Wuhan titles – and that too in a row.

Sabalenka and Gauff have met seven times on-court – the H2H being 4-3 in the favor of the latter. The last time they locked horns, it was at the Australian Open semifinal this year where Sabalenka had an easy victory. The strong way the Belarusian is making her way in the tournament, it doesn’t seem she is coming from an upset at the China Open. Well, her discipline and sports philosophy are to credit for that.

Aryna Sabalenka’s thoughts on managing defeats and remaining in high spirits

Sabalenka has always shared her thoughts openly about her game philosophy and techniques. At a press conference when Sabalenka was asked about how she steers through difficult times, the player said it’s important to enjoy while playing. “When you reach the highest level, you have to focus a lot on tennis and think about how to improve, but you also have to have fun, isolate yourself from everything, and enjoy life. It’s essential to find little things that bring you joy, like having breakfast at a nice place, enjoying a good coffee, having a nice dinner, spending time with friends, and enjoying time with family. That is the key to managing defeats but also success,” said the Belarusian.

And these aren’t mere words, the player has proved it time and again that tough times can’t hold her back. When, you might ask? Jog your memory a little and go back to 2023. French Open results: Upset in semi-final. Wimbledon: Upset in semi-final. US Open: Lost the final. Despite back-to-back upsets, the Belarusian didn’t let the losses dent her determination. And she quickly came up swinging at the 2024 Australian Open with a series of dominating victories over top guns – ultimately lifting the trophy. And does her sheer US Open dominance to the title really need reiteration?

Undoubtedly, the incredible work code of hers will take her a long way. And Wuhan Open might just become one of the rungs of the ladder. What do you think of her chances at Wuhan Open? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.