BNP PARIBAS OPEN

March 13, 2024

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

E. NAVARRO/A. Sabalenka

6-3, 3-6, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Aryna, not the result you wanted, obviously, but just talk us through the match.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I would say that I didn't play my best tennis. She played some great tennis (smiling).

That's it.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Didn't seem like maybe you were especially comfortable at this tournament all week? Was that the case? What were you trying to do to get yourself back in match rhythm?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I would say that this year Indian Wells I didn't feel my best on these courts. I tried to adjust. We tried to work on couple of things, make sure I'm there and I'm fighting for this title.

I mean, I would say that we did our best and we'll learn. We'll work a little bit more on the movement, and hopefully I'll be ready for Miami.

Q. Do you chalk that up to not having played a lot since Australia or is it more conditions-specific here at this tournament?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, I wouldn't say that that's the case, that I didn't play a lot of matches after Australian Open. I think I've got enough experience to still bring my best tennis, even though I didn't play much matches.

So, yeah, I would say, I don't know, this year I just didn't feel my best in these conditions, but that's okay. You know, that's tennis. We learn and we move on.

Q. It's hard to talk about your opponent after a loss, but could you talk about Emma's game. She's still young but she's having a real strong year. What's so tough about her? What's her potential?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I think she can be -- I mean, she's already in top. No doubt she's going to be in top for a while.

Yeah, she just played different rhythm, more spin. Forehand, really great forehand. Overall I would say she's moving well and playing some different rhythms so you always have to adjust.

If your movement is not there, then you will always be off the rhythm and you'll be missing a lot of shots and making a lot of unforced errors.

That's what actually happened to me. I wasn't moving that great today, and that's why she forced me for all those unforced errors.

But yeah, her potential is really great. I think she's already in the top. Yeah, I think she have this potential to be in top 10.

Q. The best tournament for you is the Australian Open, looking at the records, but what's it like having that also be the first big thing of the year? What are things you still look forward to on the calendar as the season progresses when your strongest thing is right at the beginning?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, there are so many tournaments I really would like to win, and there is so many goals. It's not like I won Australian Open the beginning of the year and the year is done. I always hungry for wins and I always want to do well and always want to bring my best tennis.

So, yeah, I'll keep working, and hopefully at the end of the year I'll think about this year as the best year of my career.

Q. Are there specific tournaments you're looking forward to? Like, that's the one I want this year?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I don't want to talk about that, because as soon as you say something, it will never happen. I believe in that shit.

Why am I always swearing? Jesus Christ.

Q. The other day you were so much fun here in the press room, and you are often. You laugh so much and have such a good time. Talk about that. Do you think people sort of misunderstand you and don't really get that fun-loving part of you?

ARYNA SABALENKA: You think so? People misunderstand that?

Q. I think so. That's my view.

ARYNA SABALENKA: You mean like they don't like it?

Q. No, they don't understand...

ARYNA SABALENKA: Why I'm like that?

Q. No, they don't understand what a wonderful sense of humor you have, how free-thinking you are. I don't know. You have a charm to yourself that I don't think the fans necessarily understand. So intense on court. The dichotomy...

ARYNA SABALENKA: Like the balance? I'm kind of like aggressive on court and kind of different person off court?

Q. Yeah.

ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, if people don't understand that, it's not like I'm trying to make them like me. It's just the way I am, and there always will be people who understand that and there is always will people who not.

I'm just the way I am. I don't want to be fake. I want to be real. This is the way I am. I really want them to understand and, yeah, to understand me, but I don't know what to say on this question.

I mean, on court that's my, I don't know, that's my job and that's what I'm really crazy about, I want to do well. That's why I a little bit crazy there (smiling).

And off court, I'm just normal person. I don't know. It's like awkward question. I don't know what to say. I think I said enough.

Q. Looking ahead to Miami, do you see that at this point as sort of a home tournament for you? You have a place there. And when you do go, do you commute from home when you're in Miami? How nice is that experience to be home when you're at a tournament?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I love this tournament and I would say I feel at home because I stay at home there. Such a nice tournament. Didn't have chance to play really well there.

Hopefully this is the year to show my best and to bring my best tennis and to do well there.

Q. Will you go straight there?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Of course.