Aryna Sabalenka praised her emotional control and confidence after claiming a second consecutive Australian Open title.
The world number two successfully defended her Australian Open title with a 6-3 6-2 win over 12th seed Qinwen Zheng.
Sabalenka was aggressive and proactive as she claimed her second Grand Slam title of her career.
After the match Sabalenka admitted she was ‘speechless’ and said she was pleased with the performance, “Yeah, I’m speechless right now. I don’t know how to describe my emotions,” Sabalenka explained in her press conference.
“But definitely I’m super, super happy and proud of everything I was able to achieve so far. Yeah, just happy with the level I played today. She’s a great player and very tough opponent. I’m super happy that I was able to get this win today.”
An incredible achievement for Sabalenka to successfully defend the title especially given the fact that she didn’t drop a set all tournament.
Some players can drop their level after winning a maiden Grand Slam title as they have achieved their dream in the sport.
However Sabalenka admitted that she didn’t want to be known as someone who just won one Grand Slam title and was determined to prove her versatility and consistency, “Yeah, actually it’s been in my mind that I didn’t want to be that player who win it and then disappeared,” Sabalenka explained.
“I just wanted to show that I’m able to be consistently there and I’m able to win another one. I really hope that more, more than two right now, but for me was really important. That’s why, no matter what the result, like, win or lose, we are always working hard, we always looking for things to improve in my game.
“Yeah, it’s all about the process and make sure that, about the discipline, make sure that you’re always there, you always show up, and you always work hard.”
Sabalenka’s discipline and hard work has paid off as she will now look to win Grand Slams on other surfaces.
That’s a goal that Sabalenka has her sights firmly fixed on as she looks to add more titles to her collection, “Well, I think last year I proved that I can play on each surface. I think those two semifinals I get super emotional,” Sabalenka reflected.
“I lost, not like my matches. I played against incredible players, and they just played unbelievable level, but I felt like I got super emotional and I just let that semis go away. But I definitely think that if I’m going to keep working like I’m working right now, and if we’re going to keep building what we are building right now, I’m definitely able to do the same on the clay and on the grass.
“So then I’ll just keep working hard and hopefully this year I’ll achieve the same goal on the clay or on the grass.”
The world number two will aim to keep her emotions in check as that’s what secured her the Australian Open title.
The two-time Grand Slam champion reflected on keeping her emotions in check and how confidence was a key factor in winning the title in Melbourne, “I would say that it was a little bit different. I think I wasn’t that emotional on court, but before the match, it was the same. You know, like you still are waiting for it, you can’t wait to start. You’re super excited,” Sabalenka said when comparing the fortnight to previous Grand Slam experiences.
“It’s still emotional off the court, but as soon as I step in on the court, I felt like, okay, I think I’m in control, and I think I’m, how to say, emotionally ready for it. So compared to last year, it’s completely different me. Compared to the US Open, once again, it’s a different me.
“As I said, I’m more controlled and kind of like don’t let the rest of the things come to my mind, and I was focusing on myself. So I think it’s a big difference.
“I think it’s very important to be open. I feel like I really want to be connected with my fans and make sure that they know my story and probably my story will inspire someone else and will help someone else.
“Now having two Grand Slam titles, it’s definitely give me more confidence and believe in myself. I just have this knowing that all my life it wasn’t, like, wasting of time and I was doing the right thing. I’m where I’m meant to be, so that’s really important.”
