Aryna Sabalenka was nowhere near her best at the French Open this year, crashing out in the quarter-finals.
Sabalenka lost to Diana Shnaider, a surprising result that marked a step back from her runner-up finish the previous year.
The top seed at Roland Garros fell 6-3, 5-7, 0-6 to Shnaider, who came into the tournament as the 25th seed. Stubbs was asked if Shnaider could back up her performance and replied:
Stubbs’ comments highlight just how challenging it is for players to maintain consistency after a big win. The wind conditions at Philippe Chatrier made things even harder for Sabalenka. Plus, she was dealing with a stomach issue that left her sick and coughing during play.
Stubbs didn’t hold back in criticism of Sabalenka after French Open exit
Stubbs shared her thoughts on the match during The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, pointing out that Sabalenka had 57 unforced errors and lost 10 straight games.
“How can you as world number one, at that point the only player who has won a major title in the draw, and you are up a set and 4-1 against a player who has never made a semifinal of a major,” said Stubbs.
“You are crushing them. Yes, it’s windy. Yes, the circumstances are not perfect. But you are up a set and 4-1. You cannot blame the wind and the conditions for you losing that match.
“Then I don’t understand why at a set and 4-1 you are even remotely at anything. She is yelling at her box, she is telling them this and that, she is throwing her racket and her arms up in the air.
“It reminded me of when Simona Halep lost when up a set and 3-0 over Jelena Ostapenko in the final and decided to throw her racket.
“I’m like why would you throw your racket when you are up a set and 3-0 and the girl down the other end thinks she has no hope.
“Then all of a sudden she sees you throwing your racket and acting like a pork chop and you think maybe I do have a chance.
“That’s exactly how Shnaider reacted. This is the locker room reputation I talk about all the time. You know a player like Sabalenka, if she starts to go off a little bit, she can go way off.
Aryna Sabalenka will feel aggrieved with French Open organizers
This wasn’t Sabalenka’s first struggle with windy conditions in Paris. The same issue came up during her final against Coco Gauff in 2025 when Gauff rallied back to win 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4.
Whether she’ll be able to sort out this part of her game remains an open question, but there’s no doubt it continues to be a challenge for one of Aryna Sabalenka.
After leaving Court Philippe Chatrier following defeat from Shnaider due to wind issues again on Friday afternoon on June 7th with blue skies overhead later closing it after being empty.
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