DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 19, 2025

Aryna Sabalenka

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium

Press Conference

C. TAUSON/A. Sabalenka

6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: We'll go straight into questions for Aryna.

Q. What do you think made the difference tonight?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, she played a great tennis and I didn't play my best. Yeah, that's it.

Q. Still a matter of trying to find your rhythm after Australia?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, I'd say that for the last couple of years, I'm not doing well in the Middle East. I believe we need to change something in the preparation, or I'll probably just keep these events because every time I don't feel well playing here. Even health-wise I'm struggling. Australia always taking a lot of energy out of me.

Yeah, I believe we just need to think with the team for the future how we can improve or get better in the preparation for the Middle East.

Q. A virus has been going around. Have you been sick?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I've been sick for the last four or five days. Right now I'm recovering, doing better. But yeah, last week been really tough for me.

I believe I went through it and hopefully I'm not going to get sick again (smiling).

Q. Is it the energy that is bothering you? Are you low on energy?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I don't know. I believe that I'm not that hungry on court. I'm kind of like all over the place in my thoughts and not consistent on the court. The decisions I'm making on the court are a bit wrong and emotionally I'm not on my best.

Yeah, these two tournaments wasn't the best at all. I'll just leave it in the past and move on.

Q. What will you do going forward? Are you going to take a small break before heading over to the U.S.?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I don't know. We're going to talk with the team about that.

Q. Tauson played a good match. What can you say about it?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, she played a great match. I believe she had a bit more preparation. She was more hungry than me today. Well done from her. Not very well done from me.

Q. She was different from last meeting in Australia?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I was different in the last meeting, I'd say.