"The best I've ever seen her": Aryna Sabalenka was ready 'emotionally' for second Grand Slam says Lindsay Davenport
WTAMonday, 29 January 2024 at 09:30
Former world number one Lindsay Davenport has heaped praise
on Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka for defending the Australian Open title.
The 25-year-old defeated China’s Qinwen Zheng in the final in
straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday to win the title for the
second year running.
Davenport was recently quoted in a report where she heaped
praise on Sabalenka and also highlighted how the current world number two had ‘something
different’ about her this time around.
"We were curious if she was going to be able to keep it
together in this entire tournament,” said the three-time Grand Slam winner. “You
go back, yes, she won the Australian Open, semi-finals of Roland Garros last
year, up 5-2 in the third match point, and collapsed against [Karolina]
Muchova.
“Up a set and a break in the semifinals of Wimbledon, lost
to [Ons] Jabeur. Then we saw in that [US Open] final against Coco Gauff, really
get rattled by the crowd. I was expecting that, possibly against Gauff, who was
really challenging her late in that first set.
"But something was different about Sabalenka
here—whether it was the confidence from winning here last year or just a new
mindset coming off the off-season where you know she works so incredibly hard.
“She was ready
emotionally. It's the best I’ve ever seen her. She was buttoned up; she was
ready for the pressure moments when they did occur, and she didn't have to have
many of them because she was playing so well.”
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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- This article is SPOT ON!!!Rapunzel04-09-2026
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mandoist04-09-2026 - Double Standards for the male players? Gross. BTW: This "apology" reads like the one his lawyers wrote for him when he had to go to the Kangaroo Court for slapping his girlfriend around.mandoist04-09-2026
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- In her defense... she has no "defense" and likely could not articulate it if she did.mandoist03-09-2026
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- Sabalenka seems so unhappy. When you get angry after every mistake you make on court, you’ve got some issues sweetie! She also does seem to be “partying” a lot if you follow her social media (I don’t lolol). Very immature personality.DaveyWavey03-09-2026
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