It is hard to argue with Aryna Sabalenka’s case as the top women’s player in the world.
But even with that, she walked away from 2025 with just one Grand Slam title, despite making it to two more finals and another semi-final.
Sabalenka had a dominant season overall, but in the key moments, she let opportunities slip.
In Melbourne, she ended up losing a final-set shootout against Madison Keys. That defeat was only Keys’ second win over her.
Then in Paris, she started strong against Coco Gauff but could not finish it off and ended up losing in three sets.
For most players, these losses would not raise many eyebrows. But given Sabalenka’s talent level and dominance throughout the year, they were noticeable.
The rationale behind those significant losses has now been provided by one of her coaches.
Jason Stacy on being shouted at mid-match by Aryna Sabalenka
During an appearance on The Line podcast, Jason Stacy reflected on his time working with Sabalenka and the journey they have been through together.
Sabalenka was not always the powerhouse we know today. Go back five years, and she was still finding her way in the game, a long shot from the four-time Grand Slam champion she is now.
Stacy has always shown patience with the Belarusian star, even when emotions run high during matches, and she directs frustration towards her team.
Discussing that aspect of their relationship and her temperament, Stacy explained: “But for her to be able to truly be gracious and respectful for that moment, she can’t not be who she is. She has a lot of fire in her, a lot of energy.”
“That was the part we had her, over the years, learn how to maintain. In most situations, the way I look at it is that most people’s strengths are also the biggest weaknesses, if they don’t know how to manage and regulate those things very well, right?
“And so when you find out how to regulate yourself and understand how they work, and you become more aware, then your strength will often be what gets you somewhere. But it can still also hold you back because, you know, it’d be a weakness for lack of a better word.”
This comment was in reference to Sabalenka smashing her racket following this year’s Australian Open final. As he went on: “So it’s not like a disrespectful thing. It’s more like, like, I don’t want to be, you know, holding this in and I can’t, because this is who I am. She’s an emotionally based sort of driven person.
“You know, as long as, even when she gets upset at us or as a directed venting session or this or that, there’s always been this rule, like, it’s fine. I understand, as long as it doesn’t become personal. When it becomes a personal thing, then there’s a line that we don’t cross. Simple as that. But we all know that everybody gets frustrated.
“Everyone gets, you know, especially when everything you’re doing, the entire world is watching you and judging you. It’s not like when you and I make a mistake.
“So it’s just understanding that, like, that’s who she is. She’s learnt, she’s mature, she’s grown, you know, but sometimes she’s still gonna have those moments.”
Aryna Sabalenka ended 2025 with a clear statement of intent
Even though her loss to Elena Rybakina at the WTA Finals was hard to take, the way Sabalenka wrapped up her Grand Slam season in 2025 showed how much she is still evolving, both on and off the court.
Earlier in the year, during the Australian Open and Roland Garros, she let her emotions spill over, leading to outbursts that played out in public view.
She faced up to those moments afterwards and apologised when needed, but those incidents did not just fade away.
In New York, though, she was completely dialled in. Nothing seemed capable of stopping her from claiming the major title that had eluded her all year. Reflecting on her performance after winning the US Open final, Sabalenka said: “To bring the fight and be able to handle my emotions the way I did in this final, it means a lot.”
“I’m super proud right now of myself.”
If she can maintain that same level of composure under pressure throughout next season, it could finally be a year when she matches her dominance with even more silverware.
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