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World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka self-destructed in stunning fashion at Roland Garros on Wednesday, throwing away a set and double-break lead to lose 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 to 25th-seeded Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinals, and afterward, a visibly devastated Sabalenka suggested she was done with the sport entirely.
"Just want to quit tennis right now," Sabalenka said bluntly at her post-match press conference, shrugging as she spoke. "We'll see in a few days. Hopefully I'll get back on track mentally."
The collapse was as dramatic as any seen at a major in recent memory. Leading 4-1 in the second set and two points from victory while serving at 5-4, Sabalenka lost 10 of the next 11 games, finishing the match in a daze as Shnaider seized complete control of the contest.
"I don't know when was the last time I lost 10 games in a row," Sabalenka admitted. "Mentally I got into a very deep, dark hole and I just couldn't get back on track."
The four-time major champion had no shortage of chances. She saved two match points at 0-40 in the deciding set before ultimately sending a shot into the net to end it. The crowd watched on as Sabalenka crouched mid-court at one stage, resting her head on her racket in a moment of visible despair.
It was painfully reminiscent of last year's final, when she also won the opening set before unraveling against Coco Gauff under similarly windy conditions.
Sabalenka reserved some frustration for tournament organizers, questioning why the roof on Court Philippe-Chatrier remained open throughout the blustery afternoon.
As for bouncing back, she offered one possible remedy — albeit a destructive one.
"You know those rooms where you just go in and smash everything?" she said, finally cracking a smile. "Probably I will spend a whole day tomorrow over there."
