After what had already been an unpredictable and shocking Roland Garros, few expected the surprises to continue.
However, this tournament had arguably reserved the biggest one for yesterday, as the world number one and overwhelming favourite for the title, Aryna Sabalenka, was knocked out.
What made this even more unlikely was the commanding lead she held.
Having forged a set and a double-break lead, she seemed unstoppable despite the uncomfortable conditions on court with the wind.
How do you feel about the roofs not being closed for strong wind? 😬
Few could possibly have predicted her to self-destruct as dramatically as she did.
However, Jimmy Arias pointed out one particular moment which he felt kickstarted her collapse, referencing this ‘very strange’ flashpoint whilst speaking to Tennis Channel.
Aryna Sabalenka questioned after ‘very strange’ on-court reaction
Trying to make sense of the result, he began by claiming: “How she turned it around, Shnaider, was Sabalenka self-destructed.”
Arias then expanded on just how it fell apart for the Belarusian: “She got a little tight for whatever reason.
“It’s very strange 4-1 up, two breaks. She throws in the double fault and has that outburst. You’re still way up. You’re still the better player if you’re playing your best.
“The conditions weren’t the kind of conditions that she likes. They were very windy. It was similar to Gauff last year when she complained about the conditions, losing to Gauff. Same conditions today with those 30-mile-an-hour winds.
“It didn’t seem to bother until it did. And then once it bothered her, it really bothered her, and she really fell apart in that final set.”
Sabalenka criticised Roland Garros for not closing the roof afterwards, but her protests will fall on deaf ears. The match is done, and her French Open title ambitions will have to wait another year.
What did Aryna Sabalenka say after she lost the 2025 Roland Garros final?
As has been mentioned relentlessly since yesterday, there were shades of the 2025 Roland Garros final to Sabalenka’s loss yesterday.
After all, that was also a match marred by the wind, resulting in her falling apart.
However, what was even more explosive than her on-court collapse was how she reacted afterwards, with many criticising Sabalenka’s comments following that defeat.
What’s next for Aryna Sabalenka after shock French Open exit?
She argued: “It was honestly the worst tennis I’ve played in, I don’t know how many months.
“Conditions were terrible, and she simply was better in these conditions than me.
“I think she won the match not because she played incredible, just because I made all of those mistakes from, if you look from the outside, easy balls.
“I think if Iga would have beaten me the other day, I think she would go out today, and she would get the win.”
