Aryna Sabalenka’s bid for a first French Open title ended in spectacular fashion as she lost 10 consecutive games to crash out of the tournament in the quarter-finals. The world No 1 was stunned 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 by 25th seed Diana Shnaider on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Sabalenka led by a set and 4-1 but unravelled as windy conditions disrupted her rhythm. She later admitted she wanted to quit tennis immediately after the match. "No thoughts, no emotions. Just want to quit tennis right now," she told reporters. "Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally in a few days."
The defeat marks only the second time in her last 14 Grand Slams that Sabalenka has failed to reach at least the semi-finals. She blamed her mental state for the collapse, saying she fell into a "very deep, dark hole" and couldn’t recover. Tournament organisers faced criticism from Sabalenka for keeping the roof open despite difficult playing conditions.
Shnaider, who reached her first Grand Slam semi-final, capitalised on Sabalenka’s struggles. The Russian player adjusted her game to exploit the wind, forcing Sabalenka into errors and dominating the final set. She will face Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska, who continued her fairytale run by defeating Anna Kalinskaya in straight sets.
Sabalenka’s exit ensures a first-time Grand Slam champion will emerge from the women’s draw. The last four features no former major winners, a rarity in tennis history. Sabalenka vowed to find a way to reset, joking she might spend a day in a rage room smashing objects to vent her frustration.
