Aryna Sabalenka's journey to the top of women's tennis is a testament to her powerful game and her incredible mental fortitude. The Belarusian star has openly discussed her struggles with anger management and mental health, revealing the strategies she's employed to tame her inner "tiger" and achieve consistent success. Sabalenka's path wasn't always smooth; she faced challenges that tested her resilience, including a battle with her serve and personal tragedies.

Early in her career, Sabalenka struggled to control her emotions on the court. She recognized that improving her mental game was crucial to taking control of her play. To address this, she worked with a sports psychologist for four to five years, seeking tools to manage her emotions effectively. Sabalenka realized that she needed to take responsibility for fixing her problems instead of relying on others. This realization brought her more confidence and control. Prioritizing her mental game became a game-changer, allowing her to manage her emotions and improve her consistency. She learned to recognize triggers that sparked her anger and developed better reactions to them, understanding that mistakes are a part of tennis.

Sabalenka's mental strength was severely tested in March 2024 when her former partner, Konstantin Koltsov, passed away. Despite the "unthinkable tragedy," she chose to play at the Miami Open, following a similar path she took after losing her father in 2019. However, she later admitted that continuing to play might have damaged her mental health, and that taking time to recover might have been a better decision.

Over the past couple of years, Sabalenka has demonstrated remarkable mental toughness, which she attributes to overcoming tough and challenging life experiences. She reminds herself how strong she is and that she can handle anything whenever she struggles. This mindset applies not only to tennis but to all aspects of her life.

Sabalenka emphasizes that mental toughness isn't about suppressing emotions but about finding a way to express them in a controlled manner. She acknowledges that calmness isn't the only way to show mental toughness and that different approaches work for different players. She doesn't believe in keeping everything inside and has found that expressing her anger, even through actions like throwing her racket or yelling at her team, helps her recharge and refocus her energy on winning.

Aryna believes the key to handling expectations is finding the right balance in her life. Despite the pressure that comes with being a top-ranked player, she focuses on enjoying life outside of the court and taking it easy to counterbalance the pressure she experiences while competing. Sabalenka's ability to navigate high-pressure situations has become a defining characteristic of her success. Even when she isn't at her best, she can isolate moments to elevate her game and build momentum.

Sabalenka's consistent performance has made her a force to be reckoned with. She has reached multiple Grand Slam finals and has secured the World No. 1 ranking. Her journey includes overcoming a severe case of the yips, serving a high number of double faults, and facing immense fear. However, she confronted her problems head-on, demonstrating incredible resilience, determination, and bravery. This commitment to fixing her problems has been inspiring. Sabalenka has learned to control her emotions and use her power effectively. Her ability to stay composed under pressure was evident in her US Open victory.

In September 2025, Sabalenka defended her US Open title, defeating Amanda Anisimova. This win marked her fourth Grand Slam title, all on hard courts, and solidified her position as the world's number one. Sabalenka's ability to learn from her losses and maintain composure under pressure has been crucial to her success. Despite not having her absolute A-game, Sabalenka's mental fortitude allowed her to capitalize on Anisimova's struggles and secure the victory. Sabalenka's journey demonstrates that mental strength, self-awareness, and the right support system are essential for achieving peak performance.