WTA World No. 1. Aryna Sabalenka was as candid as ever in a recent interview, which left her emotional and heartfelt as she described how difficult her life has been due to…

WTA World No. 1. Aryna Sabalenka was as candid as ever in a recent interview, which left her emotional and heartfelt as she described how difficult her life has been due to…

WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka Opens Up in Candid Interview: “Sometimes I Just Want to Disappear”

WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was as candid as ever in a recent interview that left fans emotional and deeply moved. The Belarusian tennis star, known for her powerful game and fierce presence on the court, opened up about the personal struggles she has faced behind the scenes—revealing a life marked by intense emotional turmoil, mental health battles, and the unrelenting pressure of being at the top of the sport.

“People See the Champion, Not the Person”

Speaking through tears, Sabalenka admitted that despite her meteoric rise and status as the best women’s tennis player in the world, her personal life has often felt like a “constant fight.”

> “There are days where I just want to disappear,” she confessed. “It’s not about tennis—it’s everything outside of it. I wake up, and the weight I feel has nothing to do with my ranking or wins. It’s loneliness, expectations, pain… and trying to hold it all in so no one sees it.”

Fans may remember her brave appearance at the US Open earlier this year, where she burst into tears after a match—not from physical exhaustion, but emotional overwhelm. That moment, she says, was a breaking point.

The Tragedy That Changed Everything

While Sabalenka has kept many details of her personal life private, she did allude in the interview to the sudden and tragic death of her boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, earlier this year. The former ice hockey star passed away in what was ruled an apparent suicide, and though Sabalenka had taken time off around that period, she returned to the court visibly changed.

> “That loss shattered me,” she said softly. “I still don’t have the words. You think you’re strong, and then life shows you that you’re not.”

Though she refrained from going into further details out of respect for his family, Sabalenka said the grief from that incident still lingers every single day.

Battling Anxiety and Depression

In the months since Koltsov’s passing, Sabalenka said she’s struggled deeply with anxiety and bouts of depression—two things she never thought she’d admit publicly. The pressure to remain composed as a global sports icon while coping privately with trauma took its toll.

> “It’s like you’re expected to be a machine. Win. Perform. Smile. But inside, I’m just trying not to fall apart,” she admitted. “Some days, I cry in the locker room before stepping onto the court.”

She credits her inner circle—her team, family, and a small group of close friends—for keeping her grounded, even when her mind was pushing her to the edge.

Tennis as a Form of Therapy

Interestingly, Sabalenka said that tennis has become both a burden and a refuge.

> “The court is the only place where I feel in control. It’s like my battlefield, my sanctuary, my therapy,” she explained. “But the moment the match ends, reality crashes in.”

Her ability to channel her pain into her performance has been nothing short of remarkable. Since the tragedy, Sabalenka has maintained her No. 1 ranking and remained dominant on tour, but not without cost.

> “People tell me I’m so strong, but they don’t know how many times I wanted to quit. Not just tennis—everything.”

A Message to Others: “You’re Not Alone”

In a powerful closing statement, Sabalenka spoke directly to fans who may be going through dark times.

> “Don’t believe what you see on social media. Everyone’s struggling in some way. I just want people to know… you’re not alone.”

She also shared that she is now working with a mental health professional regularly and hopes to advocate more openly for mental wellness in tennis, especially among women athletes.

The Fans React

Reactions to the interview were swift and emotional. Social media lit up with messages of support from fellow players, fans, and mental health advocates. #WeStandWithSabalenka trended on X (formerly Twitter) within hours.

Many pointed out the importance of vulnerability among top athletes and praised Sabalenka for breaking the silence on issues often swept under the rug in elite sports.

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Aryna Sabalenka may be a tennis powerhouse, but this interview reminded the world that even the strongest champions carry invisible scars. In sharing her pain, she didn’t just bare her soul—she likely helped countless others feel seen. And that, perhaps, is the bravest victory of all.

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