Aryna Sabalenka secured a challenging victory over Laura Siegemund in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, but her performance sparked disbelief among fans. The World No. 1 endured difficulties throughout the match and narrowly advanced after a grueling two hour and 54 minute contest in London, prompting social media users to suggest that tennis legend John McEnroe, at 66 years old, could defeat her if she played under similar conditions.
Sabalenka lost the first set 6-4 to the experienced 37-year-old German before regrouping to claim the second set 6-2. Despite Siegemund taking an early lead in the third set, Sabalenka’s strong serves and precise returns enabled her to maintain control and win the deciding set. Over the course of the match, she earned 104 points and hit 29 winners, booking her place in the Wimbledon semifinals for the third time.
Fan Reactions Highlight Doubts About Sabalenka’s Form
The Belarusian’s narrow escape did little to impress spectators, many of whom expressed their frustration and astonishment on social media. Fans believed Siegemund showed more dominance and pushed Sabalenka to the brink. Some joked that the retired Grand Slam champion John McEnroe would outperform Sabalenka given her visible struggles on the court.
“I genuinely reckon John McEnroe at 66 years old would beat Aryna Sabalenka on any surface,” wrote one.
“I’m still thinking what the hell was this match because it was peak laughable at some point,” posted another.
“0 talent, just strength. You can’t be the number one and commit this amount of easy errors, it’s comical,” posted an angry fan.
“I have never seen a number one as stressed as Sabalenka. She is more stressed than her opponents. It’s really hard for her fans,” critiqued a fan.
“Not really, Laura defeated herself out of nervousness,” stated another.
“That was an abysmal performance by the world number 1,” opined another.
Sabalenka Reflects on Tough Comeback Against Siegemund
After the match, Aryna Sabalenka admitted she had concerns about her ability to turn the match around following Siegemund’s commanding start. In her on-court interview, she revealed the depth of her doubt during the early stages of the game.
“She pushed me so much. After the first set, I was just looking at my box thinking, ‘Guys, book the tickets – I think we’re about to leave this beautiful city, this beautiful country.'”
—Aryna Sabalenka
Her victory marked a milestone, making her only the second player since Serena Williams in 2000 to reach 10 singles Grand Slam semifinals. Sabalenka is set to face Amanda Anisimova in the semifinals, renewing their recent rivalry from the French Open where they met in the fourth round just a month ago.
Significance of Sabalenka’s Wimbledon Journey and Upcoming Challenges
With this hard-won success, Aryna Sabalenka continues to solidify her reputation on the grass courts of Wimbledon, bringing her record to 16 wins and 5 losses at the tournament. Despite the challenges she faced against Siegemund and the skepticism from fans, Sabalenka’s experience in past Wimbledon semifinals in 2021 and 2023 provides her with valuable insight as she prepares for her next match. The upcoming rematch against Amanda Anisimova presents another test of her resilience and skill in Grand Slam competition. The tension surrounding Sabalenka’s performances reflects both the pressure of being the world number one and the high expectations from supporters and critics alike.