ARYNA Sabalenka says she wants to turn her “hate relationship” with Wimbledon around after failing to reach the final once again.
The women’s singles world No1 lost her third Wimbledon semi-final on Thursday, falling to a 4-6 6-4 4-6 defeat to Amanda Anisimova.
The beaten star – who admitted her opponent “p****d her off” in yesterday’s defeat – also missed out on last year’s tournament, withdrawing on the eve of her first match due to a shoulder injury.
And the Belarussian – who helped a stricken fan during her semi-final loss – was banned in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Now, the 27-year-old has revealed that while she believes she will one day win in SW19, she currently has a “hate relationship with Wimbledon”.
Asked if this week’s loss would make her even more ready to go for glory next year, Sabalenka said: “It’s tough, like you said, to think about that, but I really hope so. I lost three semis, three tough ones.
“Then I was banned from playing. Then I was injured. So I have really more of a hate relationship right now with Wimbledon, but I really hope that one day I will, yeah, turn it around and have a love relationship.
“Of course, if one day I’m going to be able to win it, of course, I’m going to look back on all of these tough losses and think that I still did it.
“Yeah, now it’s tough, but I never give up, and I’m going to come back stronger, for sure.”
The 2024 US Open champion also opened up on just how much the frustration was getting to her on court, as she admitted she had thoughts of smashing her racket at points.
She said: “We all can lose control over our emotions. It’s absolutely normal.
“Every time when I was really that close in that match today to completely lose it and start, I don’t know, yelling, screaming, smashing the rackets, I keep reminding myself that’s not an option, and it’s not going to help me to stay in the match and to fight for my dream.
“Even right now I took a bit more time before doing my media just so I can be Aryna, not that crazy person on that media day at Roland-Garros.”
Sabalenka was referring to her reaction to her loss to Coco Gauff at the French Open last month, which she later apologised for.
However, she did admit yesterday that Anisimova “p****d her off” during their clash, claiming the world No 13 broke etiquette by celebrating before she had been able to reach her shot.
Her American opponent will now face Poland’s Iga Swiatek in the final on centre court on Saturday, with both stars looking to claim their first Wimbledon title.
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