Rise and Fall Of Aryna Sabalenka | Underdog To Champion

Aryna Sabalenka says she is determined to continue winning grand slam titles and adding to her count after she dismantled Zheng Qinwen, the 12th seed, 6-3, 6-2 in 76 minutes to win the Australian Open for a second time.
“It’s been in my mind that I didn’t want to be that player who win it and then disappeared,” said Sabalenka, the second seed. “I just wanted to show that I’m able to be consistently there and I’m able to win another one. I really hope that more, more than two right now, but for me was really important. That’s why, no matter what the result, like, win or lose, we are always working hard, we always looking for things to improve in my game.”
She closed off an incredibly dominant fortnight here by defending her maiden grand slam title. Sabalenka did not drop a setand the 31 games she conceded are the second fewest in the 21st century. In her past six grand slam tournaments, Sabalenka has finished with two titles, one final and three semi-finals. Although she retains the No 2 spot, Sabalenka will likely continue to battle with Iga Swiatek for the No 1 ranking this year.
Despite enjoying an incredible 12 months, rising to No 1 for the first time, Sabalenka also suffered numerous difficult losses. She said that after her attempts to try and follow up her first grand slam title, she now understands why the joy of winning a grand slam title doesn’t fade. “I felt after last year it’s going to help me to be more free and don’t care about things,” she said. “But not really. You still feel the same. You still want it badly and you still working very hard for it, and you still have to show up and fight for it and show your best level.
“Before I was watching all these champions crying after each slam, I was, like: ‘Come on, you’ve done it, like, 15 times. Why are you still crying?’ Right now, I didn’t even get to that point, but I feel like I understand why they were still crying. Because every time, the same pressure, the same expectations. You want it same way. So it’s always emotional.”
Dec 31 (Reuters) - Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka does not expect the new season to be easier despite her breakthrough performances at the Grand Slams in 2023, but the world number two said her fearless approach can help her handle any challenges.
Sabalenka claimed her maiden Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park earlier this year and finished runner-up to Coco Gauff at the U.S. Open to briefly top the rankings. She also reached semi finals of the French Open and Wimbledon.
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