'I f***** it up' - Aryna Sabalenka says she wants to ‘get completely drunk’ after surprise defeat to Naomi Osaka at Wimbledon

React to this story

Aryna Sabalenka was typically critical of her own performance after her quest for a first Wimbledon title came to an end with a straight-sets defeat to Naomi Osaka in the fourth round at the All England Club.

Highlights: Djokovic and Sinner power on, Sabalenka stunned by Osaka

Video credit: SNTV

The women’s top seed was looking to add to her four Grand Slams at the iconic venue but ran into an inspired Osaka, who looked back to her best during a maiden victory on Centre Court.

The Japanese star proved far too good during a 6-2 7-6(2) win that took her into the quarter-finals at Wimbledon for the first time.

Sabalenka is known as one of the biggest hitters in the women’s game but said she was ”overpowered” by her opponent, who is into the last eight of a Grand Slam for just the second time since the start of 2021.

US Open Mixed Doubles -

'We're chasing the title' - Sabalenka reveals 'goal' with Djokovic

Yesterday at 12:34

Asked how she felt after exiting the tournament, Sabalenka said: ”No emotions. Just know that I can handle myself much better than last year. Obviously, guys, if you were expecting something really fun, not going to happen. Probably just going to be short answers.

”I f***** it up this year. Next year I'll try to do better.”

The loss leaves Sabalenka without a Grand Slam in 2026, with just the US Open to come. It also raised the question whether or not she still feels like the best player in the world, but she stressed her mind was on how she planned on getting over the defeat instead of any rankings concerns.

”Oh, this question, guys,” she added. ”I mean, let's just look at the rankings. Right now, I'm world No. 1. Level-wise, today I wasn't world No. 1. Yesterday, I was world No. 1.

”I don't even want to think about rankings at this point. I just want to go, get completely drunk, forget about tennis, and try to get in better shape.”

Home comforts ‘powering’ Osaka

In contrast, Osaka delighted in her statement victory. The 14th seed faces Karolina Muchova next and will be tough to beat if she maintains her level for the rest of the tournament.

But she has a secret weapon in her corner as she revealed in the immediate aftermath to BBC’s Annabel Croft.

”My mum cooks a lot,” Osaka said, ”And I feel like her cooking is powering me here. So mum, I would really appreciate another meal tonight!”

Asked specifically what she is cooking, Osaka added: ”She cooks a bunch of Japanese food.”

Putting the magnitude of Osaka’s performance into context, she became the first player since Victoria Azarenka at the US Open in 2020 to get the better of Sabalenka in straight sets.

She took the game to her opponent, firing down eight aces and hitting 21 winners across the two sets.

”It's been a long time since I've had so much fun on court and to do it here means a lot,” she continued.

”Going into this match, I'd lost to her [Sabalenka] three times in a row. That really sucked, I wanted to turn things round and I'm really glad I got the opportunity to do that.

"I'm just really grateful. For me, this court is so special and this is the first match I've won on this court.”

Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.

Enjoy daily highlights from Wimbledon 2026 on tntsports.co.uk and the TNT Sports app, plus watch and stream highlights each evening and the men's and women's singles finals live on TNT Sports and HBO Max

US Open Mixed Doubles -