Aryna Sabalenka admits the reason why she thinks she lost focus at the WTA Finals

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Aryna Sabalenka fell at the semi-final stage of this year’s WTA Finals, losing out to eventual champion Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka matched her 2023 performance at the WTA Finals where she fell at the final four stage, but is still yet to take home the title in her career to date.

The 26-year-old sailed through her first two group stage games, as Sabalenka beat Qinwen Zheng, before taking down Jasmine Paolini to qualify for the semi-finals.

Sabalenka then began to struggle, losing to both Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff, as she crashed out of the tournament.

The 2024 Australian and US Open champion has recently revealed what she thinks caused her to lose focus and fall to defeat at the WTA Finals.

Aryna Sabalenka tells Andy Roddick how she thinks she lost her focus at the WTA Finals

Speaking on Andy Roddick’s podcast, Sabalenka revealed that she was trying not to think about the number one ranking in the lead-up to the WTA Finals.

“I wasn’t really focused on the number one ranking, and what I should do to finish the year as world number one,” she said.

“I didn’t do that, I was like, whatever.

“They asked me, do you know what you have to do to finish the year as world number one? I was like no and don’t tell me, please.

“I don’t want to know that I just wanted to focus on my tennis and just stay focused.”

Sabalenka secured the year-end number one ranking during the WTA Finals, a moment that she believes saw her lose focus.

“You see, after winning two matches, the news was everywhere, and I was just like please, don’t do that to me,” said the Belarussian.

“That’s probably why I kind of lost my focus.

“I don’t know, at that moment I felt like I did everything I could in this season.

“I don’t have any energy left to compete and to fight.”

Former world number one Roddick was complimentary towards Sabalenka but said that he had a completely different approach during his playing days.

“I think that’s why she’s the best,” he said.

“When I had that moment in time, my reaction wasn’t oh no don’t tell me, I’m like tell me more, tell me what did I do, it wasn’t exactly the tiger mentality that I was giving.

“I was like give me beers and tell me that I was awesome this year.”

How long can Aryna Sabalenka hold on to the WTA number one ranking?

Sabalenka has now held on to the number one ranking for 12 weeks in her career, a number that is going to jump significantly over the winter break.

The Belarussian is guaranteed another 11 weeks as world number one, before the conclusion of the Australian Open where Iga Swiatek could potentially take the top spot.

11 more weeks which will help Sabalenka catch up with some of the WTA tour’s greatest stars.

The 26-year-old will be defending 2325 points in the opening weeks of the season, having reached the final of the Brisbane Open this year as well as Sabalenka winning the Australian Open.

In contrast, her closest rival Swiatek defends just 90 points from reaching the third round in Melbourne, giving her a great chance to regain her number one ranking.

The pair are currently separated by less than 1050 points, meaning that what happens at the Australian Open will have big implications on the WTA number one spot.

The Belarussian will hope to defend her title and number one spot, and if she is able to, can start chasing down her rival Swiatek, who has amassed a mighty impressive 125 weeks as world number one.

Sabalenka will likely return to action at the Brisbane Open which begins at the start of January 2025.