DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 18, 2025

Aryna Sabalenka

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/V. Kudermetova

6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: We'll go straight into questions.

Q. Long day, rainy day. How did you prepare for such a days?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I mean, it was a rough day. I was in the hotel waiting for the right time to go on-site. Actually I didn't know if I will play today or they'll schedule my match for tomorrow.

I'm really glad that I was able to play today, to win this match. Tomorrow I don't have to be worried about playing twice. I'm happy to be through this tough match against Veronika.

Q. You keep posting (indiscernible) on Instagram. Do you feel like it works?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I don't know. I feel like if I say that, I'll sound so - how to say - not very smart. I mean, it makes me tired reading books. I start read, then after a few pages I'm like, okay, my eyes are tired, I have to rest. Then I switch off to some light comedy or I'll just do some work in the computer.

But reading unfortunately doesn't work for me. Listening, yes, but not reading.

Q. There was Alexandrova. But Kudermetova also has been a difficult matchup for you. What about her game...

ARYNA SABALENKA: Honestly when I see the draw, I was happy to see that, wanted to get revenge from both of them. To me didn't matter who would win previous match.

But about her game, I mean, she's unpredictable. She can get distracted and lose easily. At some point she can just start smashing the ball and you're always in the fence and you're just trying to put the ball back to turn around the game.

It's always like roller coaster of a game with her. That's why I'm happy with the way I stayed focused today. No matter how she played, I was there fighting, trying to stay focused on myself and on my game.

Q. A couple times because of the rain, anything you were telling yourself to stay focused?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Honestly, this is something out of my control. I'm just trying to stay there and see what's going to happen. Was just trying to see if we'll be able to finish the match today or we'll have to play tomorrow.

Q. Is there a method to your calmness in terms of how to control your composure?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I think it's all comes with experience honestly. Like being through so many different situations on court, winning, losing, dealing with raining, dealing with tough conditions. As time goes, you just learn how to deal with all of those stuff. You just know yourself better and you know what exactly to tell in the specific situation.

Q. Any particular place you would like to visit this time during your stay?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, I have couple of favorite restaurants here. But honestly, like, I'm playing quite late, so no time. I don't know if we're going to stay here right after the tournament or go straightaway.

I definitely will go to my favorite spots here.

Q. About your Oakberry brand partnership, how did that come about?

ARYNA SABALENKA: You mean on eating Oakberry or what exactly you mean by that (laughter)? I just didn't get the question. Why do I like Oakberry or...

Q. The partnership.

ARYNA SABALENKA: They always had Oakberry bowls on some of the U.S. tournaments. I always would have it after the match because it's quite healthy, tasty, and so refreshing if it's hot.

I don't know how. We just contact each other. I met the owner of the brand (laughter). No, at that point we were just signing the documents and later on we became a couple (laughter). We both love Oakberry.

But yeah, I mean, I was always a fan of the brand. I mean, it's healthy. It's refreshing. It's full of good stuff for your health.