THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 4, 2023

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/P. Udvardy

6-3, 6-1

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

Aryna, feel good to get that win under your belt?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, it was great performance. I really enjoy the atmosphere. It was just great match and I'm super happy with the win.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. When and how did you learn you were going to be playing, that things were getting shuffled around?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Sorry when?

Q. What was it like waiting for your match and knowing that you were going to get yours in and other people were not?

ARYNA SABALENKA: To be honest, I was super happy that I'm playing on one of the covered court. It's great feeling knowing that you going to finish your day today.

But I felt really sorry for the rest of the players. Yeah, it's really tough when you spend all your day on-site, didn't really get a chance to play your match.

But hopefully weather will be better tomorrow and everyone will be able to finish their matches. But I'm super happy that I was able to finish today.

Q. You spoke the other day about your emotions last year when you couldn't play here. Couldn't bring yourself to watch. How much did you think about Wimbledon the last two years? What was it like today to be able to channel that into actual action?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I mean, I really love Wimbledon. I have great memories from two years ago. I made semifinals. I'm always enjoying my game here at Wimbledon, enjoying the atmosphere. It was really tough period for me last year. I was just super happy to be here this year. Since then I really enjoyed every second today on court, enjoyed the atmosphere.

I think I actually didn't realize how much I missed Wimbledon last year till today match. So it was really great performance, great atmosphere. Just super happy to be back.

Q. When you play in a major, do you consider it a progression or do you have to be at a certain high level right at the beginning?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, I prefer to bring my highest level from the very first match so I have more energy in the last stages of the tournament. Yeah.

Of course, I mean, you can progress your game every match you play, like adjusting a little bit to the conditions. I mean, I want to progress with every match, but at the same time I want to start on the high level from the very first match.

Q. The rules have changed in terms of the dress code. I saw you chose to wear darker shorts. Could you comment on whether you like the option, how good you think it is?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I really like that we still keep playing in the white clothes, but I really like that we have an option for the shorts. I think like dark green shorts looks really cool on the grass. It's really cool to have an option at the Wimbledon.

Q. Ash Barty has announced she's become a mum today two years after she won at Wimbledon. Do you have any thoughts? Have you kept in touch? What do you think of the news?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, I'm super happy for her. I wish her all the best in her new chapter of her life. Having a baby, that's really amazing. I think she's really enjoying it. Super happy for her.

I don't know. I really miss Ashleigh on tour. I really enjoyed our matches against each other, all our battles. It was always nice to play against her.

But, yeah, she made her decision, and I really respect it. I wish her all the best in her new life.

Q. Ons said earlier she'd like to see her come back.

ARYNA SABALENKA: From Ashleigh?

Q. Yes.

ARYNA SABALENKA: I definitely think she has everything to come back. She's very talented. I feel like she already made it once. I think if she's going to decide to come back playing tennis, she's going to do well.

Q. What are your thoughts on the challenges that moms on the tour have? What goes through your mind when you see them make successful comebacks?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I really respect them a lot. That must be really tough to balancing having a kid and also, like, playing tennis. For me, like, all my focus would be on tennis. For them, they have to kind of balance it, which is not really easy. I really respect they know how to do it and they do well.

It's also give me belief if one day I want to be a mom that I still have chances to come back and play tennis. So thank you for that (smiling).

Q. Considering the top is very close, what aspects do you think are more difficult to control, like the injuries, the mental part?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I think the most important is taking care of your health. If you play on the high level, it means that you're reaching the last stages of the tournament, so you're playing a lot of matches. Physically you're getting tired.

It's really important to take care of your body and make sure you're not getting injured a lot. Yeah, I would say this is the toughest one.