Aryna Sabalenka Explains How She Manages Big Expectations

Aryna Sabalenka was asked how she manages big expectations at the Canadian Open.

Aryna Sabalenka explains how she deals with expectations. / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The challenges Aryna Sabalenka faces on and off the court have been well-documented. The World No. 3 tennis player has managed to not on survive but thrive in the most difficult of situations.

Currently, Sabalenka is preparing for her first match of the Canadian Open. When speaking with the Toronto Press, Sabalenka was asked how she manages the big expectations that face her on the court.

The reporter asked, "How do you manage those expectations and how do you keep your focus match by match?"

Sabalenka replied, "I mean, that's not my expectation; that's someone else's expectation. I guess I'm willing not to think about that. I'm just trying to focus on myself, and, yes, I know that if I'll be able to bring my best tennis, I know that I can, yeah, I can do really great on the tournament. I'm just trying to focus on myself and on bringing my best tennis every time I'm on the court."

Aryna Sabalenka was asked how she manages big expectations, ‘That’s not my expectation, that’s someone else’s’

“With your current form many are expecting big things from you here in Toronto. How do you manage those expectations and how do you keep your focus match by match?”… pic.twitter.com/IlBFto6jmf

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 7, 2024

According to Sabalenka, she does not deal with expectations; those are goals set by other people. The 26-year-old focuses on the task at hand on the court.

That task will first be the Canadian Open this week, and the US Open later this month. Sabalenka has won the Australian Open twice, and made the US Open finals once.

Sabalenka missed Wimbledon due to a rare shoulder injury, and then skipped the Paris Olympics to prepare for the final stretch of this season. Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated's Serve on SI for all the most important news from the sport and beyond.

Further Reading: Carlos Alcaraz sobbed after he lost to Novak Djokovic in the Paris Olympics.