“Knowing that statistic will not help me to keep winning”: Aryna Sabalenka stays grounded despite remarkable Australian Open dominance

Aryna Sabalenka continues her title defence at the Australian Open. The World No. 1 claimed the trophy in both 2023 and 2024, extending her unbeaten streak in Melbourne to 17 matches and achieving an impressive 25-5 record (83.3%).

The three-time Grand Slam champion faced little resistance in the early rounds, defeating Sloane Stephens and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. However, the third round presented a tougher challenge against Clara Tauson, where Sabalenka’s errors forced her to dig deep to preserve her winning streak.

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Sabalenka is the first player to claim back-to-back titles at Melbourne Park since her compatriot Victoria Azarenka in 2012-2013. Should she triumph again this year, she would match Martina Hingis’s feat of three consecutive Australian Open titles (1997-1999).

In her latest press conference, Sabalenka reflected on her childhood dream of winning a Grand Slam, describing it as ‘incredible’ to have achieved her goal. “I remember how much I wanted it when I was a child,” the two-time defending champion shared. “Then I look in the box. I see all those people sitting there, encouraging me, helping me to realise my dreams. I can’t just give up.”

“It’s incredible. It’s a dream. That’s why I’m probably so motivated every time I’m out there. Honestly, the statistics are incredible. It’s like, wow. If someone had told me five years ago that I would get to this point, I would have said, okay, whatever, let’s take it one step at a time.”

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“The atmosphere helps me a lot here. I would say I have earned, I don’t know, my people here over the years. Now every time I’m out there, I really feel all the support,” she added.

“It’s not like knowing that statistic will help me to keep winning. I still have to get there. I still have to, as you see, fight for every point. I have to bring my best tennis. If not the best tennis, then the best fighting spirit. I take it one step at a time. I’m trying to focus on myself.”

The Belarusian, the clear tournament favourite, will need to maintain her high level against one of her toughest potential opponents, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva. The rising star is enjoying a breakout moment and has already defeated Sabalenka in the quarterfinals of the 2024 French Open.

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