Sabalenka rises in Cincinnati: "My recipe for overcoming difficult times is to talk and have a good time"
Things in Canada did not go well for Aryna Sabalenka, but now in Cincinnati, they have started a little better. These were the words of the Belarusian after her debut.
A correct debut, without grand displays of power, but achieving victory and advancing to the third round. This is how Aryna Sabalenka's starts at tournaments should always be, although the circuit doesn't always make it that easy. In this WTA 1000 in Cincinnati, the current world No. 1 defeated Talía Gibson and afterward shared her impressions at the Tennis Channel table.
Sabalenka conquers the heat and Gibson
“I felt great. It was really amazing to play my first match in front of this crowd on a hot and humid day, and I'm very happy that I was able to close the match in two sets because otherwise, I don't know how I would have been able to stay strong for so long in such crazy heat.”
A much-needed disconnection
“It was incredible and, honestly, I really needed it. We spent time with our friends, had so much fun, swam a lot, jumped off the boat, had a couple of drinks, went to beach clubs, and danced. It was really necessary to step away from the difficulties I was having.”
A star off the court as well
“It is a huge honor for me to appear in that magazine. It is something gigantic. It was a fantastic experience, first talking with the journalist and then doing the shoot. I love working with different photographers and seeing myself in different ways. It was a lot of fun, a very strong and bold shoot, and I enjoyed it a lot.”
TikTok as a connection with the younger generation
“I think kids like me because of my TikTok. They run up to me saying: ‘I love your TikTok,’ and I ask them: ‘Do you know I play tennis?’. But I knew I had to show myself on TikTok to connect with the kids. The goal is to be an inspiration for them, to see that sparkle and motivation in their eyes, to post pictures of me, work hard, and copy my training. Honestly, that is the dream.”
Her recipe for overcoming tough moments
“If I see my team starts to criticize me harshly, I think we would end up in a big fight, and it wouldn’t be a good fight. Each player receives information differently. At the beginning of my career, I was heavily criticized and grew up in that environment, but today we like to talk about what’s happening, see it from perspective, and make adjustments. In tough moments, we get closer, have fun, have barbecues, and try to relax a bit because there’s a lot of pressure. I feel my recipe for overcoming these great challenges is to do it through conversations and fun.”
“I have a strong belief”
“I feel that confidence is never fully there. Each time you have to prove your level, prove your position, and offer your best tennis. I have to say that I have a strong belief that I have it, that I carry it with me.”
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sabalenka renace en Cincinnati: “Mi receta para superar los momentos difíciles es hablar y pasarlo bien”