Aryna Sabalenka once again delivered a reminder in Riyadh that her tennis is powered as much by heart as by muscle. Her 6–4, 2–6, 6–3 win over Jessica Pegula was not just a test of execution but of emotion — the kind of volatile performance that lays bare both her greatest weapon and her biggest risk.
The World No. 1 didn’t just claw back from a break down in the decider; she fought through visible frustration, a fiery exchange with coach Anton Dubrov, and the pressure of expectation that comes with her ranking. When Dubrov left the court mid-set, many saw chaos. Sabalenka saw clarity.
“I was so frustrated inside of me, and I just tried to let it go. Probably I went too far,” she admitted afterward to Tennis Channel, cracking a smile. “But honestly, I think it was the right move from him to just let me be on my own.”
It worked — she won four straight games to close out the match. But the emotional spike also raised questions about how sustainable such intensity can be. Her loud yells when Pegula’s shots sailed long flirted with the line between competitive fire and loss of focus. When Sabalenka instead applauded a brilliant Pegula rally earlier in the game, the gesture felt truer to her champion’s spirit — powerful yet respectful, fierce yet grounded.
Between Fury and Focus
For Sabalenka, emotions are not a flaw but part of the fuel. She admits that anger can sharpen her aggression when used the right way.
“I think he really upset me — I was really stressed and angry at him — and that really helped me to pull out such tennis,” she said of Dubrov, whose exit she described as “the spark” that turned the set around.
What followed was quintessential Sabalenka: fist pumps, piercing screams, and forehands that looked like declarations. Yet there’s a growing recognition that the balance is delicate. Her game thrives when passion is tempered by purpose, not overwhelmed by it.
A Champion’s Reflection
Sabalenka’s record this season — 61 wins, 11 losses, and four titles including her fourth Grand Slam crown — confirms her consistency. But at the WTA Finals, she’s chasing the one major prize still missing from her resume. With two wins already, she needs just one set against Coco Gauff to reach the semifinals.
“I look at this tournament as if I need to win five matches to hold that trophy,” she said, intent on finishing what she started.
For now, she remains both a force and a fascination: a player who plays as she feels, loudly, unapologetically, and — when it works — devastatingly well. In Riyadh, Aryna Sabalenka reminded the world that her fire can still burn bright. The challenge ahead is making sure it doesn’t burn through her.