Aryna Sabalenka wins that Australian Open in a dominant way and is already focusing on the next goals.
Now even the two fan groups from China could no longer do anything. A powerful serve to the outside, a return that was too short, Aryna Sabalenka was already in the half court and turned the ball out of reach with her forehand to win the match. As much as the fans had cheered on Sabalenka’s opponent Qinwen Zheng, as much as Zheng had fought back, in the end Sabalenka was, as always during the last two weeks here in Melbourne, the outstanding player.
Sabalenka threw her arms in the air, threw a kiss into the sky for her father, who died five years ago, and then accepted her opponent’s congratulations. It was the end of a perfect tournament for the defending champion. A tournament that quickly became one because of Sabalenka’s superiority in her matches One-woman show became. There were many matches worth watching in the women’s competition, but one player stood above the competition in terms of performance.
For the sixth time in a row in a major semi-final
Sabalenka, who wears her heart on her sleeve, who can inspire with her powerful playing and yet had to work hard to earn love, is now with them Grand Slamtournaments to become the most consistent player. Here in Australia she had her sixth consecutive year in one major-Have reached the semi-finals. Not even two years ago, Sabalenka had deep doubts about herself.
When she joined the 2022 French Open eliminated in the third round, bitter tears were shed after the game. Later in the Netflix documentary “Break point” she said about that moment: “My feeling was that everyone hated me because of my background. And now everyone has seen me losing my temper. I don’t even want to continue playing tennis.” She’ll be glad she stuck it out.
Fast hard courts in Melbourne suit her game
The times also seem to be over when she had to fit in behind players like the open and down-to-earth Iga Swiatek, the always aesthetically playing Ons Jabeur or the politically active Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka. Aryna Sabalenka has found her place.
Her winning speech on this Melbourne evening was light, humorous, self-ironic and yet delivered with a self-confident smile. She was making jokes at the expense of her team, right from the start she said: “As always, my speech will be strange. That’s not my superpower.”
Aryna Sabalenka and Zhen Qinwen greet each other before the Australian Open final
Sabalenka, on the other hand, has that on the pitch. She was by far the best player in this tournament and will probably be the player to beat here in the future. The fast hard courts at Melbourne Park suit Sabalenka’s aggressive game. Weather influences are major Rod Laver Arena virtually non-existent, she doesn’t have to fight the elements.
French Open and Wimbledon as next destinations
From the first round, when she gave Ella Seidel from Hamburg a little lesson, her game was there. The problems with the serve seem to be a thing of the past, the groundstrokes have enormous power. Every shot is designed to be a winning shot, to end the point.
This means Sabalenka can look forward with confidence. The French Open and Wimbledon are the Belarusian’s next goals. On the sand of Roland Garros Iga Swiatek is currently the top favorite. Sabalenka’s successful performance on the grass at Wimbledon is almost a must because of her often overwhelming game.
“I believe that last year I showed that I can play successfully on any surface. If I continue to work like I have been, I am convinced that I can also be successful on clay and grass.”
Promise to her late father
The title is also a fulfillment of a promise she made to her father, who died in 2019. That she would win two Grand Slams before her 25th birthday. “That’s been my biggest motivation since last year. He was my everything.”
Sabalenka’s attitude towards the game and the big tournaments has changed, as she revealed before the final: “Of course I’m the defending champion, but the worst that can happen is that I lose and have a few fewer points to defend next year.” If Sabalenka continues like this, she will board the plane more often than ever in the coming years.