Former Australian Open match director Paul McNamee ripped into ESPN following the US Open girls’s last as he wasn’t thrilled in regards to the sports activities channel displaying the footage of Aryna Sabalenka smashing her racket after dropping to Coco Gauff in final yr’s last.
On Saturday, the No. 2 seed confirmed nerves all through the ultimate however managed to step up when it mattered probably the most and beat sixth-seeded American Jessica Pegula 7-5 7-5 for her first title at Flushing Meadows and general third Grand Slam trophy.
However simply 12 months earlier, the Belarusian held again tears after Gauff recovered from a set all the way down to earn a 2-6 6-3 6-2 win of their last in New York. After leaving the court docket, the cameras caught Sabalenka choosing up a racket from her bag and taking her frustration on it.
This yr, the 26-year-old went a step additional and made all of it the way in which on the US Open. And after her large day, somebody at ESPN determined to remind followers the way it all appeared a yr earlier.
“Not impressed by ESPN displaying Sabalenka smashing her racquet within the health club after final yr’s loss within the last… pointless, insensitive and as for timing? … yikes,” former doubles world No. 1 McNamee wrote on X.
Not impressed by ESPN displaying Sabalenka smashing her racquet within the health club after final yr’s loss within the last… pointless, insensitive and as for timing? … yikes
— 🎗️ Paul McNamee (@PaulFMcNamee) September 7, 2024
Why Sabalenka was very emotional and pissed off after final yr’s US Open last?
When the ultimate versus Gauff began, the Belarusian was controlling every part and fairly simply received the opener. However then, the 20-year-old American was capable of bounce again at first of the second set – and with the group on her facet – she was capable of fully flip across the scenario and in the end win.
Afterward, the now three-time Main winner felt that the group was going too far of their assist for the American and admitted that it bought into her head and doubtless tousled her focus.
“Properly, I would not say that I used to be taking part in in opposition to the group. I bought loads of assist messages from individuals, from right here, from New York, so I knew that they — I imply, how can they assist me greater than her? In fact they will assist her. She’s 19 years previous, taking part in the ultimate of a Grand Slam. That is simply unbelievable. She really made historical past. I type of, like, anticipated this. I imply, I did not play in opposition to them,” Sabalenka stated in her presser after dropping final yr’s last.
“I might say that typically this sort of, like, assist can put loads of strain on the participant whom they’re supporting. And it is type of prefer it was strain on her to start with. It is simply me, I did not end necessary factors, that means, like, I made these unforced errors there. Yeah, in fact I gave them the power. They begin to be louder. She begin to feeling a bit bit higher on court docket, so yeah.”
After her semifinal win over Emma Navarro, the 26-year-old made certain to remind the group that she did not overlook how they behaved final yr but in addition added that she was extra happy with them this yr.
Sabalenka was a visitor on ESPN after changing into a US Open champion
For the reason that begin of 2023, the Belarusian tennis star is the participant with probably the most Slam titles – she has received three. However earlier than attending to a number of wins on the Main stage, she picked up three Slam semifinal losses and began to doubt if she would ever accomplish her greatest tennis objective. Then, there was additionally the serving difficulty in 2022 and the deaths of her father in 2019 and of her ex-boyfriend earlier this yr.
However going by way of the worst made a psychological large out of Sabalenka.
“I feel mentally I turned actually robust. I’ve been by way of so much on and off the court docket. I simply discovered for myself how you can management my feelings and keep balanced on court docket. Even when issues aren’t going my means I simply maintain reminding myself ‘Come on Aryna. You’ve been by way of so much. It’s only a tennis match. You possibly can deal with these feelings. You simply must deal with the issues you need to do to win. Slowly issues will get higher for you.’ I feel that was the most important change. I suppose I discovered how you can management my feelings,” the 26-year-old stated on ESPN.
Within the the rest of the season, Sabalenka’s greatest objective will in all probability be to attempt to get again to the world No. 1 spot and likewise accumulate her maiden WTA Finals title.