Aryna Sabalenka has ‘no room for disappointment’ as she supports Coco Gauff after WTA Finals exit

Aryna Sabalenka hasn’t quite ended her 2024 tennis season on a high, but it’s still been an incredible campaign for the world No. 1.

The three-time Grand Slam winner’s year came to an abrupt end in the semi-finals of the WTA Finals in Riyadh when she fell 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 to Coco Gauff.

Sabalenka ends the season with a 56–14 win–loss record, four singles titles and the year-end No. 1 ranking.

What’s impressive about the four titles is the fact that they were at some of the biggest tournaments, as she won two majors – the Australian Open and US Open – and two WTA 1000 events at the Cincinnati Open and the Wuhan Open, while also finished second at three events.

She returned to No. 1 in the WTA rankings when she replaced Iga Swiatek at the top after the US Open and will end the year there after the Pole lost early in Riyadh.

She is waiting for a first WTA Finals trophy, but the 26-year-old sees her glass as half full.

“I think I have achieved a lot this season and there is no room for disappointment, I believe. I just have to be proud of myself,” she said.

“I won two majors, became world number 1 and ended the year world number 1 like I wanted last year.”

Sabalenka added: “I’m just super excited for next year and want to push myself in those extra moments where I haven’t closed the matches I had to close.

“So I’m just going to keep working on my game, keep working mentally and make sure I’m fresh at the start of the season, and make sure I bring my best tennis back to Australia.”

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The Belarusian got lost during the tiebreak against Gauff as the American raced to a 4-0 lead. The 20-year-old then got back-to-back breaks early in the second set for a 4-1 lead and although Sabalenka fought back, she was broken for a third time as the third seed closed out the lead.

Gauff, who will face Zheng Qinwen in the final of the WTA Finals, has impressed the world number 1.

“I respect her, you know. She’s a fighter, she’s a great player, she’s a nice person. So I wish her the best of luck in the finals and I really hope she gets this match. She deserves it,” she said.