Aryna Sabalenka didn't look too happy after losing the 2023 US Open final to Coco Gauff, and footage from the locker room confirms she wasn't.
Aryna Sabalenka was one set away from winning her second Grand Slam trophy, and when she got early break points in the second set, many assumed that she would get it done. That ended up not being the case because Sabalenka actually lost the match in three sets.
It's not all terrible, as she'll become the WTA's world number one on Monday while Gauff's win pushes her to number three, a new career high. Sabalenka was in high spirits during the press conference, even though she was clearly disappointed.
The footage from the locker room showed her quite disappointed as she destroyed her racquet when she stepped in. It's a rather raw video in the sense that it shows human emotion really well. Sabalenka left her bag drop down along with the runner-up trophy while taking out a racquet, which she then smashed on the floor.
It's a relatable thing for many because we've all had the urge to throw something in anger. The Belarusian took her broken racquet and threw it in the trashcan as a way to close the 2023 US Open chapter.
The press conference saw Sabalenka back to her somewhat bubbly self as she cracked some jokes, but this one will sting for a while. It was a strange match that was very similar to both her Roland Garros and Wimbledon exits, and even though she proved to be the most consistent player at the Grand Slams in 2023, she managed to win only one title.
She was in control in both matches but then simply hit a wall and never recovered. It was strange seeing, essentially the number one player in the world, have no counter to Gauff. It's a testament to how strong the American was.
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