No. 2 in the world Aryna Sabalenka has worked with a psychologist in the previous few years, but she believes no psychologist can adequately prepare you for the stress and pressure of a Grand Slam semi-final.
Sabalenka reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at Wimbledon this year, but fell to Karolina Pliskova in three sets.
Sabalenka also advanced to the semifinals of the US Open before being defeated by Leylah Fernandez.
“I have worked with a psychologist for a very long time. In fact, if you look at me 4 years ago and now, I have improved my mental state.
“It seems to me that no psychologist will be able to prepare me for these situations (in Grand Slams). You have to experience it yourself, feel it, be nervous, understand this situation for yourself.
“I’m more than sure that in the next Grand Slam semi-final I won’t be so nervous.
“I will act with more confidence, I will not make the stupid mistakes I made in the important moments of the last semi-final. It’s a matter of experience, you have to go through it.
“I don’t think a psychologist will be able to prepare you for this,” Sabalenka said as per reports on Tennis365.
Sabalenka is expected to make a comeback
Sabalenka was scheduled to compete in Indian Wells for the first time since the US Open, however she was forced to withdraw due to testing positive for COVID-19 .
“It’s so beautiful outside!
“I want to play, I want to do tournaments. I’m tired of training or doing nothing. I need to go outside and play.
“Why couldn’t they just isolate me from the other players and let me play? I could keep my distance and stay away from everyone.
“But I guess it wouldn’t work well because we would always hit the same balls, and it could be dangerous,” Sabalenka said.
Sabalenka is the top seed at this week’s WTA event in Moscow, having recovered from COVID-19.
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