AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 12, 2025

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/S. Stephens

6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Aryna, why don't you start with your feelings about being back on Rod Laver.

ARYNA SABALENKA: It was an amazing feeling to see the full crowd there. I really enjoy playing out there and really happy with the win against Sloane, especially against someone really tough like her and in straight sets. That was really important.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. When she started to build that comeback, get back on serve in the first set, what was the key for you in the long game to get that break to 5-3? Seemed like from there you firmly had control of it again.

ARYNA SABALENKA: I think I kind of, like, stepped back after few games didn't went well. I stepped back, and I give her a chance to come back in the match. I'm glad that in that game on 4-3 I stepped in and I was, like, going forward to the net. I think that was the key to get back to this match.

Q. On the same moment in the first set you were able to steady well after Sloane came back. Compared to earlier in your career, if you compare yourself now to that player, how much better are you at navigating those tough moments?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I think it's a big difference, compare myself to even like three years ago. In that moment I would get frustrated and probably would lose the first set. I'm not sure if I would be able to win the match. That's what I remember.

I'm really glad that I improved my mental toughness, let's say. I'm able to stay focused no matter what the score, what the situation is. I'm focusing on the game, on the point. I'm focusing point by point.

Q. You just spoke about how much you enjoy playing in Australia. When you come here, you're still the only champion who doesn't have a nationality next to their name, get an introduction from your country when you come out. It's been a few years now. I guess you are used to it, and it's out of your control. Is it something that disappoints you, something you'd like to see changed if not now in the future where you get recognized for where you come from?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, I was always really proud that I was able to make it from such a small country as Belarus. Of course, it would be nice to see my flag next to my name.

But, once again, I'm not sure that I have that control to change that. Whenever it happens, I'll be happy to see that.

Q. We know how passionate and specific you are about your tennis. Do you set yourself goals in terms of, let's say, I don't want to lose more than three or four games in this match against a certain opponent?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Oh, my God, if I would set these kind of goals, I wouldn't be able to play a match. I would get crazy on myself. So there is no goals like specific games or something.

It's just go out there, compete, and do your best.

Q. Here they're trying this thing with having coaches sit in that little pod.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah.

Q. They're on the court. Was there any, for you and your team, conversation, debate about the idea of whether you would like to have them down there or not?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Honestly, it's not like I'm a big fan of that decision. Or if you do that, then make more seats. For example, me personally, I like to see the whole team. I want to see the whole people in my box. Even if I'm not looking at each person in my box, I always look at my coach, but I still see everyone. For me that's important.

I don't know, sometimes I just want to look at my boyfriend for the support, for example. I just didn't want to, like, look at the coach first, then look in the box because I have a lot of coaches. Four seats is not enough (laughter).

Yeah, if they would make it to eight seats, I don't know how, but it would be much better for me. So we decided to put everyone in the box. Maybe they were kind of like tight there and not comfortable, but I was comfortable to see all of them (smiling).

Q. Your 15th straight win on Rod Laver Arena. What is it about this arena you're so comfortable with?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I don't know. I think I just love people, love crowd. I love all the support I feel during basically every match I played there.

I think it's all about the atmosphere, the way they cheering for me. It's just incredible feeling. I just want to keep winning as long as I can just to feel the atmosphere.

Q. Iga was asked about the challenge of three-peating, which she's done at Roland Garros. She said that the second time was a lot more stressful than the third time because she hadn't defended at that point. It was all new. Does that resonate at all with you? Does it feel the same as last year?

ARYNA SABALENKA: You know, I think the biggest lesson I learned last year is just not focusing on, like, defending title or having the opportunity to, like, put your name on the history, whatever.

I think the key is just to keep focusing on yourself and trying your best and see what happens after the tournament.

But I don't know. Let's talk about that after I finish the tournament, hopefully with a three-peat, then I can tell you which one was the toughest one.