Aryna Sabalenka aims for Grand Slam glory in 2022: “I’m starting to understand that I can do it”
Aryna Sabalenka starts her 2022 season at the WTA 500 event in Adelaide. The Belarusian has only one thing on her mind – a Grand Slam title
November 15, 2021, GUADALAJARA, MEXICO: Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in action during the third round robin match at the 2021 Akron WTA Finals Guadalajara WTA tennis tournament against Maria Sakkari of Greece (Credit Image: © Rob Prange/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire) || 212823_0002 2021 finals Guadalajara MEXICO PRESS sport tennis WTA zagency zlast24 zselect ZSPORT ZTENNIS Zuma ZUMAPRESS.com zwire
The WTA Finals in Guadalaraja ended just a month and a half ago but the WTA Tour has already kicked off the new season in 2022 with world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka choosing to return to competition at the WTA 500 Adelaide International, which begins on Monday.
After a great 2021 season where the Belarusian won two titles – Abu Dhabi and Madrid – and played her first two Grand Slam semi-finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, Sabalenka is aiming higher in 2022.
The Minsk native has ambitions to win a Major and believes that the two semi-final losses in London and New York will serve her well. “I think those two matches that I lost in the semi-finals were a small step towards making this dream come true. I was really nervous during these times. I think now I’m starting to understand that I can do this. Ok, in the semi-finals, I don’t have to think too much or rush, panic. Now I think next time I won’t be nervous in the Grand Slam semi-finals anymore. ”
Focus on physical work in the pre-season
After her failure to qualify for the semi-finals at the WTA Finals, Aryna Sabalenka took 10 days of vacation before going back to work. The world No 2 was eager to get back on track to be 100% ready for the start of the 2022 season. The Belarusian has focused the pre-season on intense physical work.
“I don’t know how long my preseason was, but the time went by so fast, a snap of a finger and we are already here,” she said. “Yes, the weeks have been difficult. I feel like I have improved and ready to play. I focused on my body, to make sure everything was connected well, with good balance, to hit the ball a little earlier as well. This is what we focused on. Yes, like last year, but we also added a few things. ”
Sabalenka also explained that she had time to look back on her 2021 season by analyzing, in particular, her defeats and the world No 2 became aware of her mistakes so as not to repeat them this year. “I would say all the games I lost, I think it’s just because of me. I just have to focus on myself, try to make less unforced errors. Usually I win the first set and then I start making mistakes. When my opponent has the feeling that the game is going to their advantage, it’s hard. I just have to try to be consistent from start to finish and not give too much.”
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