Aryna Sabalenka Vows to ‘Smash Everything’ After Shock French Open Exit to Diana Shnaider
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka delivered a candid and emotional response following her stunning quarter-final defeat to Russia's Diana Shnaider at the 2026 French Open.
Sabalenka, who saw her streak of six consecutive Grand Slam semi-final appearances come to an end, admitted she was still searching for answers after surrendering a set and a double-break lead before losing 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 at Roland Garros.
Speaking to reporters after the match, the Belarusian reflected on recurring mental challenges during high-pressure moments and compared the defeat to difficult experiences she has faced in previous Grand Slam events.
“I'm quite an experienced player. I've been through so many things and overcome so many things, and I just have to figure out that little thing that sometimes isn't working for me,” Sabalenka said.
The three-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged that despite years of experience, she still encounters mental hurdles that can affect her performance on the biggest stages.
When asked whether it was frustrating to continue dealing with such challenges despite her efforts to overcome them, Sabalenka remained philosophical.
“What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, I guess. At some point I'll figure out the situation and we'll get back tougher,” she said.
However, the World No.1 also injected a touch of humor into her post-match comments, joking about how she planned to deal with the disappointment.
“By the way, I just figured out how I can overcome it – one of those rooms where you go in and smash everything. Probably I'll spend a whole day tomorrow over there destroying stuff. Maybe it'll help, maybe not.”
The defeat marked one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, with Diana Shnaider producing a remarkable comeback to reach her maiden Grand Slam semi-final. The Russian will now face Polish qualifier Maja Chwalińska for a place in the French Open final.
Despite the setback, Sabalenka remains one of the leading contenders in women's tennis and is expected to regroup quickly ahead of the upcoming grass-court season.
"She played great"
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 3, 2026
Sabalenka's post-match interview following her loss against Shnaider.#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/po1saL6q0t
