As she pursues further Grand Slam success, fans can look forward to seeing the Belarusian return with even greater determination—this time, paying closer attention to her food choices!
Aryna Sabalenka’s unexpected French Open quarterfinal defeat to Mirra
Andreeva in 2024 has been one of the rare disappointments in an otherwise
stellar year for the world No. 1. Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion,
has now opened up about the illness that hampered her performance in the
match. The Belarusian revealed that an unfortunate food incident led to her
being unwell and impacted her ability to compete at full capacity during the
high-stakes encounter at Roland Garros.
Despite entering the match as a strong favorite, Sabalenka was ultimately
defeated in a tough three-set battle by the 16-year-old Andreeva, who
triumphed 6-7, 6-4, 6-4. The match, played on the prestigious Court Philippe
Chatrier, was a test of resilience for Sabalenka, who showed immense grit to
push her opponent despite being clearly affected by the illness. The defeat
dashed Sabalenka’s hopes of capturing her first French Open title, a title that
had seemed within reach after dominant performances in her previous rounds.
In a recent press conference following her third-round victory at the Australian
Open, Sabalenka explained that her illness was a result of eating undercooked
meat the day before her French Open quarterfinal match. “Like a day before, I
had pretty rare meat. You know, I usually go for medium well, and I ask for
medium well, but I think it wasn’t cooked enough, and yeah, I think I just,
yeah, my stomach didn’t like that,” she said. “I felt really bad after the next
day, so now I’m making sure that the meat is cooked well.”
While Sabalenka’s performance at the 2024 French Open was undoubtedly
affected by the illness, she still managed to make the match a competitive
affair. The fact that she was able to challenge Andreeva despite being unwell
speaks volumes about her tenacity and ability to fight through adversity.
Andreeva, who was playing in her first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal, needed
to stay calm under pressure to secure the win. Her victory ultimately marked a
significant milestone in her career, but many believe that Sabalenka would
have been the favorite had she been fully healthy.
Sabalenka’s struggle in the French Open, compounded by the illness,
highlights the unpredictability of the sport. Had she been at her peak, it’s likely
that Sabalenka would have been the stronger contender against both Andreeva
and eventual semifinalist Jasmine Paolini. It’s also impossible to ignore the
possibility of a showdown between Sabalenka and Iga Świątek in the final—a
match that many had anticipated, especially given their thrilling Madrid Open
encounter just a month prior. In that match, Sabalenka pushed Świątek to the
limit, saving three match points before ultimately losing in a dramatic tiebreak
in the third set.
While the illness undoubtedly thwarted Sabalenka’s French Open run, it has
not slowed her momentum in 2025. She has since claimed victory in her third-
round match at the Australian Open and remains one of the most dominant
players on the WTA Tour. Sabalenka, known for her powerful game and
mental toughness, continues to be a force to be reckoned with as she aims to
build on her previous Grand Slam successes.
As Sabalenka looks ahead to future challenges, including her upcoming
Australian Open matches, she is determined to ensure that her diet and
preparation remain optimal to avoid a repeat of last year’s misfortune. The
French Open, while a painful memory, is not something that will define her
career. Instead, Sabalenka’s focus is on pushing forward, striving for more
major titles, and refining her game on all surfaces, including clay.
The French Open near-miss was just a brief setback in what has otherwise
been a dominant rise for Sabalenka in women’s tennis. As she continues her
quest for Grand Slam glory, fans can expect to see the Belarusian bounce back
with renewed vigor—this time, with extra caution when it comes to her food
choices!
