NEW YORK, NY, USA - World No.13 Aryna Sabalenka took to Instagram on Friday to announce the end of her coaching relationship with former player Dmitry Tursunov.
“Thank you for everything and all the best in your future!” Sabalenka said in a post.
Sabalenka first began working with Tursunov shortly before her rapid rise up the rankings last summer, capturing a pair of titles at New Haven and Wuhan, and starting the season with a run to the Shenzhen Open title.
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But after January, Sabalenka struggled to regain her world-beating form, with an appearance in the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic final being just her second final of the year. At the US Open, No.9 seed Sabalenka’s Grand Slam campaign came to an end in the second round, falling to Yulia Putintseva in straight sets.
The split comes days after Sabalenka reaffirmed her confidence in Tursunov, following an emotional first-round victory over fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka in three sets.
"We’ve had a lot of conversations; I don’t know how many, and they’re still happening, these conversations,” Sabalenka told wtatennis.com in an interview on Tuesday.
“I’m actually happy to have him by my side because he’s professional and he knows me better than others. I don’t think I can trust anyone like I trust Dmitry, and that’s important."
In his own Instagram post, Tursunov reflected on his experience in coaching“Tiger” Sabalenka, saying: “What a ride it was! It was truly the best and most fulfilling time, where I found myself and my purpose.”
He added, “I hope to draw some lessons as a coach and a person and get better at helping players fulfill their potential.”
Sabalenka will be back in action at the Zhengzhou Open in China, her next scheduled tournament.
