In a bittersweet moment of triumph, world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka secured her second consecutive Australian Open title by defeating Qinwen Zheng in a decisive final on Saturday. However, the joyous occasion was tinged with the challenges of being away from her family, leading to a playful argument with her mother over the placement of the coveted trophy.
Sabalenka, who typically keeps her family life private, took a rare moment in her victory speech to express gratitude to her family for their unwavering support. “I never speak about my family on the winning speeches before, but I have to say thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me,” shared the tennis star, acknowledging her family as the driving force behind her achievements.
The Belarusian athlete revealed that the distance from her family during the tournament weighed heavily on her, despite staying connected through phone calls. “Yeah, of course, I spoke to my mum, and there is already a fight where the trophy is going. She’s really p***ed right now, by the way,” Sabalenka humorously disclosed, shedding light on the playful disagreement with her mother about the trophy’s destination.
While the banter with her mother added a lighthearted touch, Sabalenka expressed genuine emotions about missing her family during such a monumental moment in her career. “But yeah, I felt so far from them. But I’m really happy that we’re able to see each other in the preseason, which we spent in Dubai. So, we are far but not really. I really miss them so much,” she admitted.
In a heartfelt acknowledgment, Sabalenka emphasized the significance of her family as her primary motivation. “I actually never really speak about them on the winning speeches or — doesn’t matter — on the speeches. But I just wanted to make sure that they know how much they mean to me and that they are my biggest motivation, and I’m doing everything for them,” she conveyed.
The tennis star also touched upon her father’s sudden passing four years ago, revealing their shared dream of her winning multiple Grand Slam titles and achieving the world No. 1 ranking by the age of 25. Despite the tragic loss, Sabalenka, who turns 26 in May, fulfilled their shared vision, securing two Australian Open trophies and a stint at the top of the rankings in the previous Autumn.
Aryna Sabalenka says her mom is fighting her about where the Australian Open Trophy is going:
“Yeah, of course I spoke to my mom and there is already fight where the trophy is going. She’s really pissed right now, by the way.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/A5j4wjJQsP
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 27, 2024
Aryna Sabalenka’s journey is not just about victories on the court; it’s a testament to her resilience, determination, and the profound impact of familial bonds that continue to shape her remarkable career.
Aryna Sabalenka in 2024
WWWWWWWWWW Currently ranked no.2, Aryna played her last match on the 27th of January when she beat world no.15 Qinwen Zheng 6-3 6-2 in the final of the Australian Open to win her 14th career title.
Presently, during this year Sabalenka has a 11-1 match record. Aryna clinched 1 title at the Australian Open. Aryna was the finalist in Brisbane.
