Aryna Sabalenka admitted that she “f***** it up” after the world No1 was knocked of Wimbledon by Naomi Osaka in the last 16.
Sabalenka, hunting a maiden grass-court title at this year’s Championships, was beaten 6-2 7-6(2) on Centre Court by the 14th seed, who earned her first victory over the Belarusian since the 2018 US Open, which she went on to lift.
Osaka, the former world No1, had never gone beyond the third round at the All England Club, and she ventured into new territory - literally and figuratively - as she stepped onto Centre Court in a flowing Kimono-inspired gown that has become synonymous with her at the tournament.
The Japanese 28-year-old was making her first appearance on the main show court of this year’s competition, having moved up one court at a time since her opening match, where she faced Elsa Jacquemot on Court No3.
But as she arrived to whoops from the British crowd, it felt as though the neutral was rooting for the world No14.
Sabalenka cut a frustrated and isolated figure, as she was forced into 27 errors by her inspired opponent, who has not dropped a set in her run to the quarter-finals.
Her serve was off, too, with her first-serve percentage at just 55, while she spurned both break-point opportunities that came her way as Osaka played out of her skin.
The world No1 let out an almighty scream in the early knockings of the first set as she netted a forehand, but it, as well as the other cries of desperation, fell on deaf ears as the home support continued to cheer for Osaka, who was growing in confidence.
Immediately after her defeat, Sabalenka made her way to her post-match press conference, where she was frank in her analysis of her performance.
“No emotions,” she said with a wry smile.
“I just know that I can handle myself much better than last year. I f***ed it up this year. Next year I'll try to do better.”
The Belaurusian has suffered defeat in both of this year’s Grand Slams so far, falling to Elena Rybakina in the final at the Australian Open, and to Diana Shanider in a quarter-final shock at Roland-Garros.
Her last major triumph came at the US Open, where she downed Amanda Anisimova in the final at Flushing Meadows.
© The Standard Ltd