(VIDEO) Heartwarming gesture from Aryna Sabalenka as Australian Open champion signs towels to be auctioned by domestic violence charity
WTAThursday, 25 January 2024 at 11:58
Aryna Sabalenka sped past Coco Gauff in a 7-6, 6-4 win to reach the final of the 2024 Australian Open for a second consecutive year as the defending champion aims to hold on to her title, but also she delighted Jelena Dokic and the fans in the Rod Laver Arena with a classy gesture in her post match interview.
As well as lauding Coco Gauff as an incredible player and sharing her enjoyment at facing and hopefully beating the American in finals to come over the years, she was asked by Jelena Dokic at the end of the interview to sign some towels from the match.
These towels will be auctioned off to raise money for a Women's and Children's domestic violence charity, a cause close to the heart of Dokic in particular after her own storied struggles off the court and she was emotional after receiving the towels back. Sabalenka as soon as she was asked was quick to sign them in a superb gesture to end the first semi-final.
"That's why we love you, you're such a fierce competitor and I just don't think people know how kind and compassionate and giving you are. As soon as I said it, you said I'd give you another one. Thank you for what you do for women's sport as well," said Dokic. Also in the post match interview, she paid tribute to Billie Jean King and Evonne Goolagong Cawley in a sterling on court interview from the former World No.1.
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.
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