US OPEN

September 2, 2023

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/C. Burel

6-1, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: One hour, a dominating performance. Your thoughts on how you played.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I'm super happy with the performance today. I think I played really great tennis today. Just super happy with this win.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You just seemed so comfortable on court start to finish. Was it as comfortable as it looked? How did you feel this morning before you went on court?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I felt good. I felt good and ready to go. Yeah, I felt pretty comfortable on court today.

Q. Do you consider yourself a morning person typically?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, yeah. More morning person. It's always different (smiling). Last days I have been morning person.

Q. How would you describe the grind, the work, the mental and physical toughness it takes to go deep in major tournaments?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, you definitely need to be strong mentally, because it's two weeks' tournament, and, like, sometimes some matches you don't feel your best, and it's all about your mentality, how you can handle that, how you can focus on things you have to do not on your feelings.

I would say that, of course, physically also have to be ready, but I think it's more about mentality going deeper in the tournament.

Q. You dropped 12 games in a week. Is there anything you're not happy with?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I definitely not happy with the start of the US Open, with those few games on my serve when I served a lot of double faults. But I'm happy that I was able to fix it and start serving better.

Q. Playing Dasha in the next round. Your thoughts?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, always tricky matches against her. She's playing great tennis. Moving really well. Trying to get everything she can back on that side.

I feel like I have to be focused and I don't have to overrush things against her. I just have to stay calm and just wait for the opportunity and take it.

Q. Caroline Wozniacki has been away from the game for three-and-a-half years and she's now in the second week. What do you think of her comeback and the thing in general that you can come back after so long a time and compete among the best?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I think that's amazing. That's just something amazing. She was out for three-and-a-half years, having two kids, and came back in tennis and still play her best. I feel like if you have this level you will never lose it, it feels like when you watch them. It gives so much belief to me if one day I would like to go for baby I'll have some chances to come back.

So thank you for that (smiling). And, yeah, just such an inspiration. I'm really happy for her.

Q. Things have been going pretty well the first three rounds. You haven't been on Ashe yet. Is that something you noticed, if you want to play on Ashe?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, of course I have noticed that. Of course I would like to play on Ashe. It's different atmosphere. Louis Armstrong giving me so much support and I like playing there, but yeah, I hope that next match will be on Ashe. No pressure. I feel good on Louis. Feel good on Ashe. It's, yeah, whatever.

Q. There was a guy in the crowd calling you Saba, cheering you on. Curious if you like that nickname or if there are other nicknames that you prefer?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I like Sabi more. Sabi and Tiger. (Smiling.)