Venus Williams has offered perspective on Aryna Sabalenka’s emotional reaction after the world No. 1 said she wanted to quit tennis following her French Open quarter-final defeat to Diana Shnaider.
Sabalenka’s loss was a dramatic turnaround. She led 6-3, 5-3, but Shnaider fought back to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-0.
Williams did not treat Sabalenka’s comments as a firm retirement statement. She suggested the remarks reflected the frustration of a painful defeat rather than a clear decision about her future.
Venus Williams says Aryna Sabalenka quitting would be a tragedy for tennis
Williams said she felt for Sabalenka: “I was feeling sad, actually. I got taken by her emotions. [I have] a lot of empathy for her.”
The seven-time Grand Slam champion also noted how open Sabalenka is with her emotions. “And she leaves it all on the court. You see everything she feels on the court,” Williams said.
Williams was clear that she did not believe Sabalenka truly wanted to walk away from the sport. “I don’t think she wants to quit tennis. That would be a tragedy for tennis and a tragedy for her,” she said.
Rather than dismissing the impact of the loss, Williams placed Sabalenka’s words in the context of a player speaking shortly after a difficult defeat.
She also suggested players may benefit from having more time before facing the media. Williams said they should “take a little more time” if needed before a press conference.
That was not criticism of Sabalenka. It was a calm reminder that players are often asked to explain painful defeats before they have fully processed them.
Sabalenka’s comment came after a painful French Open collapse
The context of Sabalenka’s remark matters because the defeat was unusually abrupt. Shnaider won the final 10 games to complete one of the biggest results of the tournament.
The result ended Sabalenka’s run at the quarter-final stage and sent the 25th seed into her first Grand Slam semi-final.
Sabalenka did not hide her frustration afterwards. She said after the defeat: “No thoughts, no emotions. I want to quit tennis right now.”
She also described her mental state during the match as a “very deep, deep dark hole” and said she could not get back on track.
Williams responded to those remarks with understanding rather than alarm. Sabalenka’s words were strong, but Williams framed them as the immediate reaction of a frustrated athlete after a heavy Grand Slam setback.
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