Aryna Sabalenka is the clear favourite to win a 3rd consecutive Australian Open title later this month, however the Belarusian’s rise to world No. 1 got here by means of by no means underestimating her competitors.
Undefeated at Melbourne Park since a fourth-round loss to Kaia Kanepi in 2022, the 26-year-old started her season by claiming her 18th profession WTA title in Brisbane on Sunday.
Sabalenka is aware of, nevertheless, that her profitable streak and rating will imply little to the opposite 127 ladies within the draw. To declare a fourth main title on Jan. 25, she’ll want one other monumental effort.
“Every time you’re out there, you have to compete, you have to fight,” she mentioned Sunday after beating Russian Polina Kudermetova within the Brisbane closing. “You have to show why you are world No. 1 or why you’re in the top 10. It doesn’t matter. You have to show your level, and you have to fight for it.”
For all her energy and weapons on courtroom, Sabalenka’s path to the highest was removed from clean. She needed to fully rebuild her serve after battling a nasty case of the “yips” in 2021. She was as soon as as well-known for her extraordinary tally of errors and on-court meltdowns as she was for her prodigious forehand.
Sabalenka famously has a tattoo of a tiger on her left arm, representing her Chinese zodiac signal and reflecting her ferocious competitiveness on courtroom.
While the comparability is legitimate in that regard, it would fall quick in a single space. With the exception of moms and their cubs, tigers are solitary animals.
Similar to Australian former Grand Slam champion Ash Barty, Sabalenka’s success got here solely after surrounding herself with a tight-knit help group. Coach Anton Dubrov, health coach Jason Stacy, and hitting companion Andrei Vasilevski now accompany her on tour. Their significance is obvious by her emotional speeches of due to them after her triumphs.
“I have great people around me. I’m able to have fun off court and be focused on the court,” Sabalenka mentioned. “I think it’s a balance of on- and off-court life – being able to work really hard, stay focused on your goals, but at the same time have some fun so you’re not going to drive yourself crazy.”
Sabalenka, who gained her first U.S. Open title final 12 months, has misplaced solely as soon as in her final 28 matches on the two hardcourt Grand Slams and can take some stopping on Melbourne Park’s blue courts.
“I definitely feel confident in my game. I’m just excited. I love playing there,” she added in Brisbane. “I love to fight for my dream. Those are the conditions where I feel really comfortable. I’m just super excited heading to the Australian Open.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com