Sabalenka and the most important mental health advice she has learned

Aryna Sabalenka will step into the quarterfinals of the US Open for the fourth time, having lost only one set along the way. The Belarusian is performing exceptionally well on the fast courts of New York, especially after defeating Mertens, a player she knows very well from their time playing doubles together. Now focused on her upcoming challenge against Vekic or Zheng, the world number 2 went through a press conference to talk about the reason for her success in New York or how she overcame the fear of making a double fault.

- Reason for her success at the US Open?

"I don't know. The truth is I enjoy playing here a lot. The crowd is amazing. I enjoy playing in these big stadiums, feeling all the support. I don't want to leave early, I want to stay as long as I can and enjoy this beautiful court and atmosphere. And I think that's why I'm consistent here."

- Improvement compared to last year

"I have improved a lot, and the last match was a very tough lesson. Throughout the preseason, I worked a lot on the variety of my game, being able to approach the net, make my slices, drop shots, and all of that. I think it has been very helpful, and I have improved a lot. Since last year, I believe I am mentally stronger. Many things have happened."

- Most important mental health trick she has learned?

"The main thing to stay healthy is to be surrounded by the right people. When you feel all the support and your back is covered, that is key. Another trick is to try to enjoy the journey. You work hard on the court and fight for it, but then, in the big tournaments, you have a day off. So you have to enjoy it, disconnect completely from tennis. Your training session, but then go out to dinner, enjoy your free time, and not think. Either way, that thought will be there, but you have to try to enjoy life. I know it's easy and not at the same time. I think everything is acquired through experience."

- Facing fear to improve her serve

"About two years ago, I started working with a biomechanist in Cincinnati. Things started to work very well there, and then at the US Open, I had the courage to try to do those serves that were uncomfortable for me at that time, like the second serve. I told myself: 'well, I have to overcome it, face this fear, I have to serve and see what happens and let the opponent play an extra shot.' At the US Open, things worked. I played a match, and I remember facing the fear of making a double fault. I thought about trying it and confronting my fear. I remember hitting just one serve. I was probably facing break points or key points, like going for the second serve. I was very afraid. I thought: 'well, I have to see what happens.' I did it, I won the point, and I thought: 'this works, so I don't have to serve more each time.' And so, things return to normal each time."

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sabalenka y el consejo de salud mental más importante que ha aprendido