2024-01-27 15:00:29
Published on January 27, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. – updated on January 27, 2024 at 4:02 p.m.
Victorious in her second Australian Open this Saturday, Aryna Sabalenka confided that she did not want to be a player who wins a Grand Slam tournament and then disappears. And winning easily against Qinwen Zheng didn’t stop her from being very emotional.
Sofia Kenin, Sloane Stephens, Emma Raducanu, Bianca Andreescu… In recent seasons, several players have won a Grand Slam tournament by achieving a dream fortnight, before plunging in the rankings, the fault of injuries or poor results… But Aryna Sabalenka didn’t want to be on this list. Victorious at the Australian Open a year ago, then beaten in the semi-finals at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon and in the final at the US Open, the 25-year-old Belarusian did not miss her chance to triumph again in Melbourne, beating Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-2. “I’m speechless right now. I don’t know how to describe my emotions. But I’m definitely super, super happy and proud of everything I’ve been able to accomplish so far. I’m just happy with the level I played at today, she said at a press conference. She is a great player and a very tough opponent. I’m super happy to have been able to achieve this victory today. In fact, I didn’t want to be that player who would win (a Grand Slam) and then disappear. I just wanted to show that I am capable of constantly being there and that I am capable of winning another. I really hope to win more than two, but for me it was really important. »
Sabalenka: “I seem to understand why they are still crying”
Victorious over Elena Rybakina in three sets a year ago, Aryna Sabalenka confided that she had approached this 2024 final with more confidence. “It’s always emotional off the field. But as soon as I stepped on the court, I was like, “OK, I think I’m in control,” and I think I’m emotionally ready for this. » But after her victory, the Belarusian couldn’t help but shed a few tears: “Before, I watched all these champions cry after each Grand Slam. I was like, “Come on, you’ve done it like 15 times. Why are you still crying? » Right now, I haven’t even gotten to that point, but I feel like I understand why they’re still crying. Because every time, it’s the same pressure, the same expectations. We want the same things. So it’s always moving. It’s always the same, you know. » It’s now up to her to win somewhere other than Melbourne… And why not at the next Roland-Garros?
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