Aryna Sabalenka experienced one of her most successful years in sport in 2025 – but internally the Belarusian is struggling with a different reality. Her long-time coach Jason Stacy spoke openly about the mental side of the world number one on the podcast The Line. “She’s terrified of losing everything,” he explained. Sabalenka has difficulty gaining trust or talking about goals.
Stacy described Sabalenka’s basic attitude in clear terms: “If you talk about something, it will be taken away from you. If you build something, you will lose it.” This way of thinking blocked her for a long time – and even today, despite her dominant season, this fear is still present.
According to Stacy, a moment after the Corona break in 2022 was particularly impressive. “After Covid, when we came back to the US Open, she was suddenly terrified that she didn’t know how to play tennis anymore. She thought she was done.” He emphasized: “She was really scared.”
Stacy sees openness as the key to success
Despite the doubts, Sabalenka dominated the 2025 season with a 63-12 record. She won her second US Open title and reached the finals in Melbourne, Paris and the WTA Finals. At the end of the year she was once again number one in the world.
According to Stacy, this sporting achievement was, above all, a mental feat. A central challenge for him as a coach was to help Sabalenka to open up: “In order for us to develop further, so that she can grow and mature, she had to learn to open up.”
Stacy talked about small progress: “At least a little bit – a tiny crack in the door. Being a little vulnerable.” Especially in a sport like tennis, where mental strength is crucial, this is an essential step for long-term success.
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