After winning the Miami Open on Saturday, Aryna Sabalenka believes she is in a strong position to continue her success on clay courts.
The world No.1 defeated Jesicca Pegula 7-5, 6-2, to win her second title of the season after Brisbane. In Miami Sabalenka also beat Ons Jabeur and Iga Swiatek to make it only the second time in her career that she has defeated three top 10 players at the same event.
“I feel like home here (in Miami),” Sabalenka said during her press conference.
“I cannot say we live here because we are traveling every week but I have a place here so it feels like home. I felt all the support throughout this week. This trophy is a very special trophy.”
Sabalenka is only the third player to have reached the finals of the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami within the same year whilst being at the top of the WTA standings. Following in the footsteps of Steffi Graf (1994) and Martina Hingis (2000). Throughout her career, most of the Belarussian’s success has been on hardcourts where she has won 17 out of her 19 WTA titles. Furthermore, she currently has 28 wins at both the Australian Open and US Open. This is higher than her wins at Wimbledon (11) and the French Open (16).
However, the 26-year-old is confident she can produce a breakthrough run on the clay in 2025. Last year she reached the final at both Madrid and Rome, as well as the last eight at Roland Garros.
“I think physically I’m ready to go. Physically I’m strong, and I’m not rushing the point and I know I can stay in the point for how long I need,” said Sabalenka.
“I think that’s the key because I think I have got everything to be a good player on the clay court. So I think that we’re gonna focus on. I haven’t talked to my team. But I can assume we’re going to focus on my fitness.”
Before switching her focus to the clay, Sabalenka intends to celebrate her Miami victory after suffering recent disappointment in finals. Making references to her losses to Madison Keys at the Australian Open and Mirra Andreeva in Indian Wells.
“I’m going to force them (her team) to do something. I don’t know, maybe some burgers, pizza, just to have fun,” Sabalenka said of her plans.
“I think we should celebrate because we struggled after those tough finals. We all were kind of depressed. I think after this final, we have to celebrate a little bit just to remember the moment.
“I’m getting older. Before I would celebrate with some sugar stuff. Nowadays it’s alcohol. I hope I’m not going to become an alcoholic!”
Sabalenka has won 23 out of 27 matches played on the Tour since the start of this season.
