Sabalenka's former coach reveals the "unpleasant" truth behind their breakup: she is prone to emotional outbursts.

If one were to choose the most consistent force in today's WTA circuit, Sabalenka would undoubtedly be at the top of the list: bold, determined, and burning with desire. This year, she reached the finals at both the Australian Open and the French Open, only to lose to two American players. At Wimbledon, she faced her third heartbreak—eliminated in the semifinals by the surprise player Anisimova.

Despite this, her fighting spirit remains undiminished; this Belarusian "tigress" continues to display fearless play and unwavering determination on the court. However, just as she withdrew from the National Bank Open to prepare for the US Open, a "ghost" from five years ago suddenly reappeared—Tursunov finally broke his silence and spoke about the intense breakup they experienced back then.

The storm between Sabalenka and Tursunov has not quietly dissipated; rather, it has returned to the spotlight with even greater intensity. In a recent interview with Sports Express, the former coach was asked, "Did Sabalenka ever say to you, 'Dmitry, I want to fire you'?" Tursunov first laughed heartily and then replied, "No, we called each other’s names casually, haha. Honestly, at the beginning, I thought she might change her mind."

However, Tursunov did not stop there; he revealed, in a tone that balanced candid reflection and dark humor, the emotional rollercoaster that ultimately led to their separation. "She was always an emotional player, sometimes she would break down, say impulsive things, and then apologize. But when she decided to hire a new coach, I knew there was no way we could work together again. That moment was really tough for me, but I told myself I had to move on. That day, I agreed to work with another female player."

Their story began in the summer of 2018. At that time, the rising star Sabalenka brought Tursunov on as her coach, yielding impressive results. She quickly won titles in New Haven and Wuhan, and crowned her success with a victory at the Shenzhen Open in early 2019.

However, as the season progressed, Sabalenka's form began to fluctuate, and the magic that once lit up the court gradually faded. The only noteworthy achievement that year was her runner-up finish at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic. During the US Open, as the 9th seed, she was eliminated in the second round by Putintseva.

In August 2019, she suddenly announced her split with Tursunov on Instagram: "Thank you for everything you've done, and I wish you all the best in the future!" Although Sabalenka publicly confirmed the end of their collaboration, Tursunov only recently chose to share his thoughts, adding new context to their fiery and tumultuous relationship.

Even more confusingly, the emotional buildup surrounding this breakup is incredibly complex. Just a few days prior, after defeating compatriot Azarenka in a fierce three-set battle at the US Open, Sabalenka praised Tursunov: "We've talked a lot, I can't say how many times, and we're still talking. I'm glad he's by my side; he's very professional and understands me better than anyone else. I don't think I could trust anyone like I trust him, and that's important."

Tursunov also expressed his feelings on social media at the time, writing, "This journey has been crazy! It was my most beautiful and meaningful time, helping me find myself and my direction." Another comment reflected a coach's pursuit of perfection: "I hope to learn from this and become a better coach and person, helping players unleash their full potential."

After parting ways with Tursunov, Sabalenka welcomed a new coach—Kindlmann. This coach has previously guided Mertens and Kerber and was also a hitting partner for Sharapova.

In fact, as early as 2020, Tursunov admitted in a podcast, "Perhaps recently Alina felt that I could no longer provide her with more help. If she really felt that way, then stopping our collaboration was the right choice. As a coach, I have to understand that this isn't personal. Of course, realizing my own helplessness hurt me a lot. But I can assure you, I always acted with the best intentions and gave her everything I could. That's life."

This Russian, who propelled Sabalenka to the peak with his incisive guidance, admitted that the breakup pained him, but his words still conveyed maturity and openness. "Next, I will see where I will go; I will try to learn from my mistakes and keep improving. If someone needs my help, I would be very happy to provide it. As long as I am valued, I will feel happy."(Source: Tennis House, Author: Spark)