World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said she wants to quit tennis after suffering a shock quarter-final defeat at the French Open on June 3, 2026.
The collapse of the top seed in Paris disrupts the tournament bracket and raises questions about the mental endurance of the world's leading player during high-stakes majors.
Sabalenka fell to Diana Shnaider, who is ranked No. 25 [1]. The match ended with a score of 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 [1]. Despite holding a lead and two breaks during the contest, Sabalenka was unable to maintain her momentum, eventually losing the final set without winning a single game.
Following the match at Roland Garros, Sabalenka expressed deep frustration and emotional exhaustion. "I just want to quit tennis right now," Sabalenka said [2].
She described a mental collapse during the match that prevented her from recovering her form. "I guess mentally, I got into a very deep, deep dark hole over there, and I just couldn't get back on track mentally," Sabalenka said [3].
The world No. 1 also spoke to the intensity of her disappointment. "I just feel like smashing things," Sabalenka said [4].
This defeat marks a significant upset in the women's draw, as Shnaider advances to the semi-finals. The result follows a day of unexpected outcomes at the tournament, where other favorites also struggled to maintain their positions in the bracket.
“"I just want to quit tennis right now."”
Sabalenka's reaction highlights the immense psychological pressure facing the world No. 1. While her comments about quitting may be a heat-of-the-moment response to a crushing defeat, the nature of the collapse—specifically the 6-0 final set—suggests a vulnerability to mental fatigue that opponents may target in future Grand Slam appearances.
