JAKARTA - Australian Open new champion Aryna Sabalenka admitted that she did not sleep much on Saturday night January 28, 2023, after winning the match in Melbourne, her first Grand Slam.
"I still feel like I'm on another planet trying to understand what just happened," Sabalenka said, as broadcast by AFP, Sunday, January 29. Sabalenka, who did a photo shoot at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, wore a pink dress and high heels. She boarded the boat to the lake with a trophy tight in her hand. The Belarusian tennis, who will become the world's number two on Monday, shows a new side of her personality, posing casually in front of the camera after serving three tiring sets less than 12 hours earlier to beat the Wimbledon champion, Elena Rybakina. "I like to pose. Especially when you are a champion," Sabalenka said with a laugh when asked about the shooting session. "I think this is the best morning in my life. It's very beautiful." The moment was difficult to imagine Sabalenka 12 months earlier. He struggled with his serve which made him cry as his confidence disappeared. Now Sabalenka enjoyed the feeling of being the Grand Slam champion at the age of 24 -- and finally beat the devil in him. Sabalenka's mental power improved under the spotlight of Rod Laver Arena's lamp on Saturday night, where he lost his first set in 2023 but got up to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. He needed four matchpoints to serve and cross the last obstacle, including the double mistakes he made.
However, Sabalenka's "new version" remains calm and continues. "I've always been thinking about that game about a few points and especially the last game," Sabalenka said of his first Grand Slam final. "But it's too crazy, there's so much thought in my head and I'm just trying to relax for a moment. "The Australian Open win will see Sabalenka have a different title, namely as the Grand Slam champion, while on this year's WTA tour." Yes, it will be different," Sabalenka said, and said he needed a break before returning to the WTA tour in the Middle East next month.
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