Aryna Sabalenka basks in Australian Open victory glow - 'Best day of my life'
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Updated 28/01/2023 at 15:56 GMT
Aryna Sabalenka admits that she faced long periods of self-doubt before arriving at what is for now a career high; victory over Elena Rykabina in the Australian Open final. Sabalenka recovered from one set down to overcome Rykabina and claim her first Grand Slam title. For Sabalenka, the victory is the fruit of patience and reflection following a difficult period.
Australian Open highlights: Sabalenka roars back to beat Rybakina and claim maiden Grand Slam title
Aryna Sabalenka began her post-Australian Open Final victory press conference with a sip of champagne, celebrating what she called "the best day of my life."
The Belarusian 24-year-old had staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Elena Rybakina over three sets to claim her maiden Grand Slam. In so doing, she became the first player in history to win a title under a neutral flag.
In the context of victory, Sabalenka even permitted herself a laugh at the double-fault she produced with her first championship point.
She joked: "It was a good start from me!"
But then the Belarusian reflected on her victory and added: "Of course I was a little bit nervous, but I keep telling myself that ‘nobody tells you that it’s going to be easy, you just have to work for it, and work for it until the end, until the last point'. It was a tough, tough game, and I’m super happy to handle all those emotions and win this one.”
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'I should have been more aggressive' - Rybakina after losing to Sabalenka in Australian Open final
Sabalenka had previously reached three Grand Slam semi-finals, only to lose each one. Victory in Melbourne on Thursday against Poland's Magda Linette was Sabalenka's first major semi-final victory.
After defeating Rybakina, Sabalenka was asked to contextualise those previous failures.
She said: "After all those tough matches. I really feel right now that I really needed those tough losses to kind of understand myself a little bit better. It was like a preparation, you know, for me. I actually feel happy I lost those matches, so right now I can be [a] different player, and a different Aryna, you know.”
Sabalenka had endured a complex period of her career in 2022, with long-time hitting partner and coach Anton Dubrov even suggesting dissolving their partnership.
This too was fruit for reflection after her Australian Open triumph.
She said: "I knew it was not about him, just something about me. I just have to figure out the problem… We have to get through it. I’m really happy that we keep working together, we went through so many things together. It’s even sweeter that we get it (the trophy) together as a team. It was a long journey for us, and we are here with the Grand Slam title. It’s just really amazing.”
The remarkably frank press conference continued with the Belarusian conceding nagging self-doubt which had previously hindered her.
She said: "I just changed how I feel. I start [to] respect myself more. I start to understand that I’m here because I work so hard, and I’m actually [a] good player. Just having this understanding that I’m a good player and I can handle a lot of emotions and a lot of things on court. Every time I had a tough moment on court, I was just reminding myself I’m good enough to handle all this, just everything, you know.”
That new confidence was reflected in a career high in Melbourne.
Sabalenka admitted: "During these two weeks, I was really calm on court, and really believed in myself, that my game will give me a lot of opportunities, in each game, to win this title.”
Her vanquished opponent agreed, speaking in her own post-match interview.
Rybakina said: "Not many girls can put me really under pressure, and against her it is not easy because she has a great serve and she plays really aggressive. but she played really well today. Stronger mentally and physically."
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