After winning her second career major in Melbourne on January 27, Aryna Sabalenka made a touching confession about her late father.
During her final match against Zheng Qinwen, Sabalenka was in sizzling form. In just one hour and seventeen minutes, she won 6-3, 6-2. The world No. 2 became just the fifth player in the history of the Australian Open to win a match without dropping a set as she won the title.
Aryna Sabalenka was asked if she was using her victory to remember her late father in a press conference after the match. The Belarusian said that she thinks of him constantly, but she also acknowledged that she needs to watch out for her mother and sister.
The reporter asked Sabalenka: “You mentioned your father there. Do you feel like you’re sort of playing sometimes to honor his memory?”
Sabalenka expressed her feelings for her late father and said: “Like, before last year’s slam, it was like that, but since then, of course, he’s my biggest motivation. He’s been everything to me. But right now, like, I have my mom and my sister, who are here with me, and I feel like I have to think about them.”
She went on to say how much her father had influenced her profession. She added: “But I just feel that he’s always with me. I’m very thankful for everything he did for me, and I think if not for him, I wouldn’t be here. Yeah, right now I’m playing for my mom, my sister, and my grandmothers.”
Sabalenka says she wouldn’t be here without her dad & he’s always with her
“You mentioned your father there. Do you feel like you're sort of playing sometimes to honor his memory?”
Aryna: “Before last year's slam, it was like that, but since then, of course he's my biggest… pic.twitter.com/PLVQmwYfvA
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 27, 2024
Aryna Sabalenka in 2024
Currently the world no.2, Aryna played her last match on the 27th of January when she defeated world no.15 Qinwen Zheng 6-3 6-2 in the final of the Australian Open to win her 14th career title.
Currently, during this season Aryna has managed to achieve an overall 11-1 win-loss record. The Belarussian conquered 1 title at the Australian Open. Sabalenka was the finalist in Brisbane.
Sabalenka has scheduled to compete next in Doha (Qatar TotalEnergies Open). She will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 12th of February.
