Sabalenka credits her “power and fighting spirit” as she guns for third consecutive Australian Open title
The Belarusian opens her campaign in Melbourne against former US Open champion Sloane Stephens
Aryna Sabalenka, Australian Open 2024
Image Credit: Action Plus / Psnewz
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka is feeling confident ahead of the Australian Open as she aims to join a select group of players to win the first Grand Slam of the season three years in a row.
The Belarusian won her first career Grand Slam here in Melbourne two years ago and repeated as champion last year. With the US Open title in her bag as well, Sabalenka has established herself as the best hardcourt player on the tour.
“I haven’t think about that actually. But, yeah, it’s been a while,” Sabalenka said when asked if felt invincible in hardcourt Grand Slams. “I’m not thinking about that kind of stuff. I’m just focusing on myself, trying to improve myself every day, and really hoping that I can continue doing what I’m doing on the Grand Slams.”
“Of course, I know that I have possibility of joining legends by winning three times in a row. Once again, I don’t want to overthink about that. I just want to do my job. Hopefully by the end of this tournament I’ll be super proud of myself and I’ll be able to put my name in the history.”
Over the past couple of seasons, Sabalenka has become one of the toughest players to beat. And the Belarusian put that down to her power and her fighting spirit.
“My biggest weapon? I don’t know. I think my power probably. Power and the way I’m fighting, probably that I never give up. You always have to finish the match. But main one probably power and fight spirit. I think I always been that way, but lately I managed to put even more pressure on my opponent and kind of, like, not giving up even when the situation is really, I don’t know, bad for me. I think you always can improve that thing.”
That’s what drives me and help me to stay motivated because I know that I have target on my back.
While some top players in the past have not been able to deal with the pressure of being the targeted player, Sabalenka says she enjoys being the one that other players are chasing.
“I think we all different. But for me, just always been something about my character. I always liked to compete. I always liked to accept, like, really tough challenges,” she said. “For me being the one to chase, I mean, I don’t know, I like it. I like that feeling. That’s what drives me and help me to stay motivated because I know that I have target on my back. I really like to have it. That’s why I work really hard, make sure that nobody can gets to me.”
The 26-year-old opens her defence against another Grand Slam champion, the American Sloane Stephens.
“We had great battles in the past. I think right now she kind of like in the mode of nothing to lose. She can play really great tennis. I expect a great battle. Looking forward to facing her again.”
