Aryna Sabalenka claims she was ‘really angry’ with what she heard Amanda Anisimova say about her during their match

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Aryna Sabalenka was desperately hoping to win her first Grand Slam of the year at Wimbledon, but it wasn’t to be.

After Sabalenka lost the Australian Open final and French Open final earlier this year, it seemed as though she was destined to return to the Championship match at Wimbledon.

Standing between the Belarusian and a place in the Wimbledon final was 23-year-old American Amanda Anisimova.

After three sets of thrilling action on Centre Court, Anisimova defeated Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, to qualify for her first major final.

Reacting to another devastating Grand Slam defeat, Sabalenka revealed what her opponent said that made her ‘really angry’ during the match.

Aryna Sabalenka was ‘really angry’ hearing Amanda Anisimova claim she always celebrates too early

During her post-match press conference, Sabalenka was asked about a point in the second set when Anisimova celebrated before the ball had gone past her.

Sabalenka shared her thoughts on the incident, recalling what Anisimova said that made her ‘really angry’.

“I was just trying to chase the ball. She was already celebrating it,” she said.

“I was like ‘I mean, that’s a bit too early.’

“She kind of p—- me off like saying ‘That’s what she does all the time.”

The Belarusian tried to make the most out of the situation, as she explained how she used the incident as motivation.

“But I was grateful and thankful that she said that because I was like, it actually helped me to keep fighting. I was like ok, now I’m gonna show you the tennis,” said Sabalenka.

“I came back because I got really angry in that moment. Probably in the third set, I should’ve remembered, and probably it would’ve helped. But it is what it is.”

Managing to turn the tide and win the second set, Sabalenka couldn’t quite get over the line in the third, as she suffered a third Wimbledon semifinal defeat.

• 2025 Wimbledon SF – Aryna Sabalenka lost to Amanda Anisimova 4-6, 6-4, 4-6
• 2023 Wimbledon SF – Aryna Sabalenka lost to Ons Jabeur 7-6, 4-6, 3-6
• 2021 Wimbledon SF – Aryna Sabalenka lost to Karolina Pliskova 7-5, 4-6, 4-6

Yet to win a major title this year, Sabalenka will now switch her focus to the US Open in August, her last chance for Grand Slam glory in 2025.

Can Aryna Sabalenka win a Grand Slam in 2025?

Despite dominating on the WTA Tour in 2025, Sabalenka has somehow failed to pick up a Grand Slam.

If you were to change three or four results from her season, she could well be a six-time major champion, but things just didn’t pan out that way for the 27-year-old.

She will have one more chance to win a major this year when she travels to New York for the US Open.

Statistically, the US Open is Sabalenka’s most successful Grand Slam event (tied with the Australian Open) and is the only major at which she is the defending champion.

In 2024, Sabalenka won her first US Open title, defeating home favorite Jessica Pegula in the final 7-5, 7-5.

The world number one would no doubt love a repeat result in 2025, to end her Grand Slam campaign on a high.

Sabalenka will return to Grand Slam action at Flushing Meadows when the tournament begins on Sunday, August 24.