US OPEN

August 28, 2024

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/L. Bronzetti

6-3, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Straight sets. One hour. Impressive performance. Give us your thoughts on how you played today.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, yeah, I'm super happy with the level today. She's really tough opponent. Even though the score doesn't look like that, but it wasn't easy playing against her. Just super happy to win this match in two sets.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I'm wondering at what point in the match did you notice your young fan who was dressed like you and had the tiger tattoo, and what was it like to interact with her?

ARYNA SABALENKA: It was really adorable moment. I just looked up, and I saw on the big screen, like, mini me. It was so cute (laughing).

It's such a motivation to keep going to inspire the young generation. That's the main goal. Yeah, that was very adorable moment.

Q. Is that the first time you've seen someone --

ARYNA SABALENKA: The first time I see someone, like, dressing -- dress up the same as me and having little tattoo and little tiger. How cute is that (laughing)?

Q. 14 consecutive sets you've won since the start of Cincinnati. What has been the thing that you're most proud of in your game in what you're doing on the court that you think has been the key to getting these straight-set wins?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I think it's more about the mindset I think of being really focused in each game. I was 100% on and no matter what's going on court, I was calm, like controlled. I think that's the key. That was the key.

Q. Aryna, Madison Keys spoke earlier this week that it's hard to live this life with a number next to your name. You're living and dying week to week with wins and losses. You talked a little bit in Cincinnati about this new mindset, about letting go of some of that. I wondered if you just could expand on that a bit, the new outlook for you.

ARYNA SABALENKA: You mean like mindset on keep going after this tough --

Q. Keeping it a little lighter.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, I would say that at the beginning when I just started playing on tour, I was putting so much pressure, lots of expectations, lots of goals. It was too much pressure, and I was thinking nonstop about playing the match, which is not bad, you know, when you're trying to get on that top level.

But when you get in the top level, it can be distraction, you know. You need to separate these things. You definitely have to be focused on tennis. It has to be your life. You have to thinking on which side of the game you can improve and all that stuff, but at the same time you have to have fun as well.

Like on court you are working hard. Off court you just have to forget about tennis and just try to enjoy your life, find little things which brings you joy in life. Just like that.

I found for myself that's really helpful, and somehow with years, with experience, and with everything I was able to separate tennis life, all the expectations, all the goals and everything from, like, just life, you know. Just easy stuff. Having breakfast in a good place, having good coffee, having a good dinner, spending time with the friends, family.

Yeah, I think that's the key on managing all the stuff, losses, and, of course, success.

Q. How would you describe Paula Badosa and your friendship?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Oh, wow. How would I describe that? It's just amazing thing, you know, to find someone so similar to you and having the same kind of mindset, same thoughts on different topics and just be able to talk to someone and to have fun with someone. Just to have friend, that's really awesome. Especially when you're opponents on court and be able to manage this stuff, that's really important.

How I would describe? Just amazing thing, you know. So much fun.

Q. What has been your observations of the way she's dealt with her physical struggles and seems to be in a really good place right now?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I'm super happy to see her back. When she was struggling, I saw her match, how tough it was for her and how much she struggled. I tried to, like, kind of help her, like talking about stuff. I was just telling her, if you have any questions, whatever you need, just ask, just talk. I'm here to help you, whatever you need.

Seeing her right now on her -- I would say she's back on her top level. That's really amazing, and I'm really happy for her, and she deserve it, you know. She's a fighter. She's hard-working girl. She's amazing person. I mean, she deserve it all.

Q. Looking back at the last year or so, six of your last seven finals have been either slams or the 1000s. Obviously that's a skill that so many great champions have had over the years to peak at the big events. I'm curious how you have worked on that skill for yourself to be at your best at the biggest events.

ARYNA SABALENKA: The main thing I was working on is on the mindset of the game and on controlling my emotions because before, like a few years ago I was all over the place. I could easily lose the matches, just get upset or frustrated by something and just easily lose the match.

Right now no matter what's going on, I'm just trying to fight, trying to find the way how to win the match. I work a lot on my mindset.

Q. Aryna, you have been performing pretty well lately. Do you regret that you didn't try to win an Olympic medal for Belarus?

ARYNA SABALENKA: First of all, I got injured before Wimbledon, and I was doing lots of rehab. While Olympics just got started, I was still doing rehab.

You know, the schedule is really crazy, and you have to sacrifice something. I decided to sacrifice with Olympics. Yeah, I think I did the right choice.

Q. Just one more thing. It hasn't been decided yet. They're still playing, but if you do face Alexandrova, what are your thoughts on the matches you've had and the challenge ahead in facing her now?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, she's a great player. We've had a lot of great battles, really tight matches. She's really aggressive player, serving well. I think the surface fits her game really well.

It's going to be challenging facing her, but I always enjoy our matches, and I'm really looking forward for that great fight.