Major semi-final machine Sabalenka “just trying to take it easy”
Aryna Sabalenka is through to the semi-finals of yet another major after beating Qinwen Zheng on Tuesday at the US Open. Sabalenka attributes her success to dealing with pressure.
Aryna Sabalenka, US Open 2024 – © Chryslène Caillaud / Panoramic
Aryna Sabalenka has been advancing to Grand Slam semi-finals left and right over the last four years. In fact, she has reached the semis in nine of her last 12 major appearances after routing Qinwen Zheng 6-1, 6-2 at the US Open on Tuesday night.
Dating back to the summer of 2021 she has two Australian Open titles, one French Open semi-final showing, two semi-final results at Wimbledon and now four consecutive trips to the US Open semis — including a runner-up performance last summer.
It has become a common occurrence for Sabalenka, who chalks up her success to putting less pressure on herself.
before I didn’t even know how to manage that pressure. On those days off I would think too much about tennis and I would just waste my energy on that. Nowadays, I’m just trying to take things easier.
Aryna Sabalenka
“I became more experienced player,” the 26-year-old Belarusian said after beating Zheng, “and I think I have better consistency in the game right now. Before, when you just coming up on tour, like for you making the second week, it’s something crazy, and you see stuff like crazy, and you put so much pressure on you about the Grand Slams — about the results and everything. And you just, you know, you’re always under pressure.
“Honestly, before I didn’t even know how to manage that pressure. On those days off I would think too much about tennis and I would just waste my energy on that. Nowadays, I’m just trying to take things easier — I’m just trying to take it easy. I’m just trying to bring my best tennis every time and just trying to fight for it, and I know that no matter what’s gonna happen on the court, I’m gonna fight for it.
“If it’s meant to be, it’s going to happen. The only thing you can control is yourself and you just literally have to fight for it. Yeah, basically that’s it, and it’s helped me to kind of be able to enjoy the journey — which is not always easy to do.”
Sabalenka is certainly enjoying her current run. The world No 2’s season not only features an Australian Open title but also a triumph in Cincinnati and runner-up performances in Madrid and Rome. Now she is favored to win the US Open.
“As I always say, it’s not about being favorite,” Sabalenka concluded. “It’s about how hard you’re ready to fight for it. [There are] going to be tough moments in the matches when you don’t feel your best and you have to go through it. It’s all about that.
“But I’m really glad they take me as a favorite, and I’ll do my very best to hold this beautiful trophy.”
