"It's just the way I am": Aryna Sabalenka doesn't want to be fake in explaining charismatic and entertaining off-court persona
WTA
A calculated player on the court, Aryna Sabalenka is the complete opposite off it with the Australian Open champion well known and loved by sections of the tennis world for her charismatic and fun-loving persona which shines through during interviews and photo shoots behind the scenes.
In particular when she won the Australian Open, Sabalenka strutted into the press room with the trophy like she was on a catwalk and says that in her mind she doesn't want to be fake and it's just her as a person coming out and whether it is misunderstood or not, she won't change.
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"The other day you were so much fun here in the press room, and you are often. You laugh so much and have such a good time. Talk about that. Do you think people sort of misunderstand you and don't really get that fun-loving part of you?" the journalist said.
"They don't understand what a wonderful sense of humor you have, how free-thinking you are. I don't know. You have a charm to yourself that I don't think the fans necessarily understand. So intense on court. The dichotomy," they added.
"I mean, if people don't understand that, it's not like I'm trying to make them like me. It's just the way I am, and there always will be people who understand that and there is always will people who not. I'm just the way I am. I don't want to be fake. I want to be real. This is the way I am," Sabalenka said.
"I really want them to understand and, yeah, to understand me, but I don't know what to say on this question. I mean, on court that's my, I don't know, that's my job and that's what I'm really crazy about, I want to do well. That's why I a little bit crazy there. And off court, I'm just normal person. I don't know. It's like awkward question. I don't know what to say. I think I said enough," she added.
But while she was defeated by Emma Navarro at Indian Wells, she isn't too downhearted saying that winning the Australian Open isn't the end for her.
"There are so many tournaments I really would like to win, and there is so many goals. It's not like I won Australian Open the beginning of the year and the year is done. I always hungry for wins and I always want to do well and always want to bring my best tennis," Sabalenka said.
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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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mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
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