"Aryna Sabalenka is a great loser... Maybe Zheng Qinwen will get there" - Serena Williams' ex-coach on Chinese's 'cranky' attitude after losses

Serena Williams' ex-coach Rennae Stubbs claimed Aryna Sabalenka is much better at dealing with losses when compared to rival Zheng Qinwen. Zheng has drawn criticism from fans this season for her seemingly cold and brief post-match handshakes and seeming nonchalance if she happens to lose a final.

Earlier this year, Zheng gave a blunt response when she was asked about her thoughts on making friends with her rivals on the WTA Tour. The 2024 Paris Olympics women's singles gold winner stated that she has no interest in being friends with the people she is competing against.

In the final of the recently-concluded 2024 WTA Finals, Zheng lost to Coco Gauff after the Chinese player looked in pole position to win for the majority of the contest. As the pair came together at the net following the conclusion of the match, Zheng seemingly gave Gauff a cold stare and a brief handshake before the latter began her celebrations.

In contrast, Aryna Sabalenka gave Gauff a warm smile and handshake before congratulating her on the win in the semifinals and patting her on the back. Rennae Stubbs, a former coach of the legendary Serena Williams, compared how Zheng and Sabalenka dealt with their respective defeats.

According to Stubbs, Zheng Qinwen isn't a "bad loser", but she is unable to remain upbeat in any way after losses because of the way they make her feel. The Australian former doubles No. 1 also compared Zheng and Sabalenka's respective responses to losses. Stubbs made the comparison on a recent episode of The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.

"Listen, I think she (Zheng) is a player who's always going to be, not a bad loser, that's not the right word, but a player that's always going to feel a sting when she loses. And Sabalenka is a great loser, but she feels a sting, but they respond very differently," Stubbs said. (at 34:12)

Stubbs went on to say that Sabalenka was also known for not being gracious in defeat previously, and since the Belarusian has seemingly been able to turn things around, there's a chance that Zheng will do the same in the years ahead.

"And Sabalenka's talked about it. She was a bad loser. She took it so much. And Maybe Qinwen will get there, where she won't be as cranky after she loses," Stubbs added.

In late 2023, Sabalenka opened up about her fresh mindset and how it allows her to stay calm and composed.

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"I accepted the fact that I can lose" - Aryna Sabalenka on her shift in mindset ahead of a groundbreaking 2024 season

Aryna Sabalenka (Source: Getty)

The 2023 Australian Open marked Aryna Sabalenka's maiden Grand Slam triumph, and she also reached the semifinals of the French Open, the Wimbledon Championships, and the year-end WTA Finals. At the 2023 US Open, she reached the final before losing to Coco Gauff. She briefly became the World No. 1 as well following her run to the final at Flushing Meadows.

Furthermore, Sabalenka won the 2023 Adelaide International (WTA 500) and the Madrid Open (WTA 1000). At the end of the successful year and before the start of the 2024 season, the Belarusian spoke about how she had worked on her mindset to perform at her best and not lose her cool in the face of adversity.

"I accepted the fact that I can lose, that everyone can go there and beat me if I'm not bringing my best tennis. Accepting this fact gives you more belief. You're more calm on the court in those crucial moments. I think that's why I'm not putting myself under pressure. Worst case, what happens? I'm going to lose a Grand Slam, lose some points, drop a little bit in the rankings?" Aryna Sabalenka said (via Reuters).

The Belarusian enjoyed another successful season in 2024. She successfully defended her Australian Open title and registered her third Major triumph at the US Open. Sabalenka also won titles at the Cincinnati Open and the Wuhan Open. She finished the season as the year-end World No. 1.