"As women, we are stronger than the guys, so they had to close the roof for the guys so they don’t suffer": Aryna Sabalenka finds humour in scorching Australian Open heat
WTA
Aryna Sabalenka booked her place in the semi-finals of the 2026 Australian Open with a commanding 6–3, 6–0 victory over teenager Iva Jovic, producing one of her cleanest performances of the tournament under challenging Melbourne conditions.
The world No. 2 was in control throughout the quarter-final encounter, stepping up her aggression as the match progressed and closing out the contest in emphatic fashion. Afterwards, Sabalenka expressed her satisfaction not only with the result but with the level she was able to maintain at the Australian Open.
“I’m super happy to get the win,” she said during her press conference. “She’s young, a great player. Super happy to get this win in straight sets and happy with the level I played today. Yeah, amazing player.”
Sabalenka’s consistency at the biggest tournaments has become a defining feature of her career, with another Grand Slam semi-final marking yet another deep run. While she insists those milestones aren’t front of mind during competition, she acknowledged that the achievement occasionally sinks in.
“When I’m in the tournament, I’m not thinking about that,” she explained. “But sometimes we all stop for a second and think about the level we were able to reach. It sounds really incredible and tough to believe.
“Sometimes I think it’s unbelievable what I was able to achieve. I think what’s really helping me to be there all the time is the focus that I’m having. Focusing on the right things definitely helps a lot with the consistency.”
The quarter-final was played in intense heat, with Sabalenka one of the few singles players competing in an open stadium late in the day. The roof was eventually partially closed, offering some shade, something she welcomed as temperatures soared.
“At the end of the match it was really hot out there,” she said. “I’m glad they closed the roof almost halfway so we had a lot of shade.
“But yeah, it was hot out there. As women, we are stronger than the guys, so they had to close the roof for the guys so they don’t suffer,” she added with a smile. “I knew they wouldn’t let us play in crazy heat. They were protecting us and our health.”
Whoop being removed and ruthless nature of win
Sabalenka was also asked about a moment earlier in the tournament when she was asked to remove a WHOOP wearable device from her wrist, a decision that surprised her given its widespread use on the WTA Tour.
“We received an email that WHOOP got approval from the ITF to wear this device,” she said. “I didn’t know that the Grand Slams hadn’t come to the same conclusion.
“The whole year we are wearing it at WTA tournaments. All of the tournaments I play, we wear WHOOP. It’s just for tracking my health. I don’t understand why Grand Slams don’t allow us to wear it, and I really hope they will reconsider.”
On court, the turning point came in a ruthless second set in which Sabalenka raised her intensity and gave Jovic no room to recover. She said the decision to press harder was deliberate.
“I felt like I had to step in and put even more pressure on her,” Sabalenka said. “She’s young, she’s hungry, and no matter the score she was still trying to figure her way.
“I knew I had to step in and show the level and the class. It helped me go for my shots and trust my game. There was definitely an amazing performance in the second set.”
With coaching now permitted courtside at Grand Slams, Sabalenka also touched on her relationship with her team, joking about the challenge they face trying to read her emotions during matches.
“Sometimes even I don’t know what I need,” she admitted. “Sometimes I need tactical advice. Sometimes I just need support. Sometimes I want them to be quiet.
“If you see me doing this, it means, you know, keep quiet, please. I’m super lucky — they know me better than I know myself. But yeah, I’m definitely the toughest one to handle.”
Looking ahead, Sabalenka will face either Coco Gauff or Elina Svitolina for a place in the final, though she insists her approach will not change regardless of the opponent.
“It doesn’t matter who makes it to the semis,” she said. “It’s going to be a battle. Whoever gets there is an incredible player. I’ll focus on myself, on my game, and fight for every point.”
Despite previously describing this stage of a Grand Slam as “trophy or nothing,” Sabalenka said her mindset is now centred on staying present.
“Every player comes into the tournament with that mentality,” she said. “But I’m trying to shift my focus onto the right things — taking it step by step, trying my best in each match, each point, each game, each set.”
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.
mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
