‘It’s a matter of experience’ – Aryna Sabalenka targeting Major success in 2022

World number two Aryna Sabalenka reached semi-finals at both Wimbledon and US Open in 2021, but is hoping the experiences will help her win a Major title in 2022.

The Belarusian stormed to the last four in London and New York, before failing to produce her best tennis in either semi-final. Sabalenka admitted she struggled with nerves in both encounters, and will change things next time.

“I would go back to my semifinal matches at the US Open and Wimbledon. I would have tried to do everything differently – maybe I would have been less nervous,” Sabalenka said. “The game was very nervous, and I would have returned to these matches to worry less.”

The 23-year-old believes her experiences, particularly in 2021, will aid her going into future in Major events. In recent years, Sabalenka has also hired a sports psychologist, however she insists it doesn’t fully prepare her for big matches.

“I have been working with a psychologist for a very long time. In fact, if you look at me 4 years ago and now, I have improved my psychological condition,” she added.

“It seems to me that no psychologist will prepare me for these situations (in Grand Slams). You need to go through it yourself, feel it, get nervous, understand this situation for yourself.!

“I’m more than sure that the next semi-final at the Slam I won’t be so nervous. I will act more confidently, I won’t make the stupid errors that I made in important moments in the last semi-final. It’s a matter of experience, you need to go through it. I don’t think a psychologist will be able to prepare for this.”