THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 1, 2023

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference for Aryna Sabalenka.

We'll start with a question. How are you feeling about the fortnight ahead?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I'm super happy to be here. Yeah, just enjoying every second here at Wimbledon. Can't wait to start my first game.

Yeah, before we continue I would like to say I'm not going to talk about politics. I'm here to talk about tennis only. Please respect that. If you have any kind of political questions, you can ask WTA or the tournament. They can send you the transcript of my answers from the previous tournaments.

Thank you.

THE MODERATOR: First question.

Q. I just wondered what it feels like to be back at Wimbledon, your feelings arriving at the club again, after obviously missing out last year. Put your emotions together, I guess.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I'm super emotional right now. I'm super happy to be back. I really miss this place. When I got here first time, I was just like enjoying. I couldn't believe that I'm here.

So just super happy to be here.

Q. What are your expectations for this tournament? How do you feel?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I'm feeling good. I don't have any kind of expectations. The only one expectation I have is just to bring my best tennis every time I'm on the court. Yeah, hopefully I'll do it (smiling).

Q. How have you thought about the way things ended in Paris? How have you channeled whatever thoughts from that into your preparation for Wimbledon?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, that was really tough, tough end of the tournament. I was really disappointed with that loss. But then we spoke with my team. It was a good lesson for me. I just had few days off, and then start my preparation for the grass season.

Yeah.

Q. What was the lesson?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, like no matter what, I have to keep trying, not like losing my -- just not losing it easily, you know? Just keep trying things. Not going crazy on court. Understand that no matter what happened, I still have a lot of chances.

So that was the main lesson.

Q. In regards to the statement you made at the beginning, is that a personal decision or some form of pressure?

ARYNA SABALENKA: It's my personal decision.

Q. In terms of looking back to last year, can you describe to us what you did during this fortnight last year? Did you watch any of Wimbledon last year? How difficult was it to watch from afar?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I was at home having a little vacation, then practicing. But, no, I didn't watch Wimbledon a lot. I felt so bad and I just couldn't watch it. Every time if Wimbledon would be on TV, I would cry, so...

I decided just to stay away from Wimbledon last year (smiling).

Q. How much mental strength does it take to shut out everything, to be able to focus and produce your best tennis when everything else is going on? How hard is that? What kind of mental strength does it take?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, that's not easy. But I'm always telling myself that the best I can do is focus on things I have control on. That's really helping a lot to not think about anything else on the tennis.

Q. After being away for a year, what was the reception like you received from the club, and what reception are you expecting from the British fans?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I have no expectations. I only have hope that they will support me as they did last year - hopefully. That's it. No expectations (laughter).

Q. What was it like to get back on grass after two years, or had you been on a grass court at some point from 2021 until now?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Last year I played couple tournaments on grass, in 's-Hertogenbosch and Berlin. It's not like I didn't play on grass for two years.

Yeah, it feels amazing. Grass court here at Wimbledon is something different. It's just perfect, you know? This is amazing feeling on the grass.

Q. You practiced on Centre yesterday with Rybakina. Obviously you both are two of the biggest contenders here. I wonder how you found that and what it was like to practice on Centre, as well?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, it was really, really amazing. That court feels really perfect, like everything is just perfect. Yeah, was great practice with Elena. Really high-level practice. I think that's really good practice to have before going to the Wimbledon.

Q. How would you describe your level of confidence playing on grass right now?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I don't like to speak about confidence. For me it's a little weird. I just want to say that I have strong belief that I can do well on grass. I already did it.

I feel good. I feel good on grass.

Q. Talking about the new big three, do you feel you three are the overwhelming favorites here or someone from outside of you three will challenge?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I mean, I saw a lot about big three. It's really cool to be one of those great players. Hopefully I can continue doing well. Of course, I think we are, like, favorites here. But it doesn't matter who is favorite, it's all about your focus and your tennis.

I'm pretty sure if I'm going to bring my best tennis, I'll be focused from the beginning till the end, I'm pretty sure that I can do really well at Wimbledon.

Q. On that belief that you have here at Wimbledon and on grass, it's obviously your first time playing at Wimbledon as a Grand Slam champion, since you got that feather in your cap. Does your belief here feel different this year because of that?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Australian Open title didn't really affect my belief, to be honest, because it's not giving anything to you. You still have to go on court and show your best and fight for it.

I mean, the only thing it's giving me, that I know how to do it (smiling). Yeah, that's the only thing.