'It was insane!' - Eurosport experts marvel at Aryna Sabalenka after Australian Open 2023 triumph in final
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Published 28/01/2023 at 12:42 GMT
Aryna Sabalenka sealed the 2023 Australian Open women's singles title in style on Saturday after recovering from a set down to overcome Elena Rybakina in three thrilling sets at Melbourne Park. Eurosport's Laura Robson, Tim Henman and Mats Wilander all gave their instant expert reactions to what was a memorable victory for Sabalenka, and all three could not believe her mental fortitude.
'An unbelievable victory' - Robson says Sabalenka proved her wrong to win first Slam
Eurosport's experts have been left to marvel at the mental strength and play of Aryna Sabalenka after her Australian Open 2023 triumph over Elena Rybakina in the women's final.
The 24-year-old clinched a dramatic 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory over the Wimbledon champion in what was an enthralling encounter on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday.
Sabalenka's maiden Grand Slam crown has capped off what has been a remarkable start to the year for the player, who has continued her unbeaten run in 2023 in some style by coming out on top at Melbourne Park.
Laura Robson, Tim Henman and Mats Wilander were all left hugely impressed, not only with Sabalenka's play but also with her mental resilience after having to roar back from a set down and eventually serve out for the tournament under huge pressure.
"It was such a beautiful moment," Robson said on Eurosport's Australian Open coverage. "The moment where she [Sabalenka] walked over, they [her team] hugged each other, and then afterwards, when he [Sabelenka’s coach] kind of soaked it all up and was crying in the towel - it was emotional. I think she was actually more nervous for the speech than she was serving the match out.
"It was just an unbelievable victory. Sitting here courtside, I just couldn’t wrap my head around how hard they were hitting it. Both of them were playing ridiculous tennis. Every doubt that I’ve had about Sabalenka - especially on the serve - she proved me wrong. It was insane.
"She was able to be so mentally strong, and I just think back to 12 months ago. How is this possible? How can she turn her whole mentality around so much, especially on the serve? It was so impressive.
"I’m just still struggling to understand how you can do so much work and apply it in such a difficult moment. We can do everything off the court, we can work with a psychologist - like she has been, but then get rid of him because she thought she didn’t need him anymore, and still to do what she just did over the last couple of hours - insane.”
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'Her serve is a blessing in disguise' - Wilander and Robson on Sabalenka's improved mental strength
Henman added: "She was aggressive at every opportunity. Even in the final game, her serve was massive. She never got down and was eventually able to get across the line.
"She has been knocking on the door but this was her first Grand Slam final. She has been in three other semi-finals and there have been plenty of bumps in the road, but I think she had the belief to back herself. There is a huge relief now she has got the title.”
Wilander weighed in: "The fact that she had to serve it out as well and all the talk about her second serve. It was strong nerve-wise for her to hold on there.
“It’s obviously so emotional. I think Sabalenka, from the first time we saw her, she always seemed to have the mentality that she would win majors. But she sort of went a little bit crazy sometimes when she was in semis in Slams and you wondered if this was ever going to come.
“I think she did so so well being so aggressive because if she wasn’t aggressive, Rybakina would control everything. I think Sabalenka did a great job to control the points when the ball was in play and that made the difference even though there weren’t that many long rallies.
“For the last six months, she couldn’t serve at all and was serving underhand but for her to get through that. I think she looks in better shape somehow, she moves better. It seems like her serve problems have projected her to a different part in her career and it’s working.”
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Australian Open highlights: Sabalenka roars back to beat Rybakina and claim maiden Grand Slam title
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