Aryna Sabalenka's debut
at the 2018
Australian Open has been shared on social networks, where she was
molested by the public during the match against local
Ashleigh Barty.
The new Aussie Open
champion found her best tennis over the past two weeks to clinch her first
Grand Slam, where she dropped just one set in the final to
Elena Rybakina. The
Belarusian, who will once again occupy second place in the ranking, loos back
on the uncomfortable moment she experienced 5 years ago.
In that match, the
crowd mocked her for the screams she made while playing, and they even
interrupted Sabalenka's service, for which the chair umpire had to ask for
silence and even the former world No. 1 Barty asked the public for respect:
“My first Australian Open was against Ashleigh on the Rod
Laver stadium,”
“I
remember after the match thinking, ‘Oh my god I think I will never get it’. That’s
crazy."
After
winning the trophy, Sabalenka thanked the public for the support she has had in
recent weeks:
“Thank you
soo much for an amazing atmosphere and I hope I can come back stronger next
year and I’ll show you even better tennis and you guys will support me even more”
“I
think Australia loves me (laughs). The support this week, I think because
everyone remembers last year and everyone wants me to be better. I felt the
support and it really motivated me a lot.”
On Twitter it was
criticized that the stands were not full, and that not all the tickets had been
sold: