Aryna Sabalenka says tasting a Grand Slam victory is “like a drug” and she is now dreaming of achieving more Major success in the near future. Sabalenka, 24, defeated Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final to lift her first Grand Slam title.
Before winning the Australian Open, Sabalenka was three times beaten in a Grand Slam semifinal. “First of all, it’s a little relief that I have a Grand Slam. Second, it’s like a drug. I really want it again. It really motivates me a lot.
I want even more and I want to become a better player. I know that there is still a lot of things to work on to be better on court. This is huge motivation, you know?” Sabalenka told WTA Insider.
Sabalenka: I want to win a Grand Slam again, again, and again
“The motivation to every time prove that I can do it, again and again.
Hopefully again, again, and again, and again,” Sabalenka added. The 2022 season was one of the most challenging of Sabalenka’s career as the Belarusian went through a lot of ups and downs. After the 2022 season was over, Sabalenka took some time to reflect on everything and correct mistakes.
Now at the start of the 2023 season, Sabalenka is 11-0 and coming off back-to-back victories at the Adelaide International and Australian Open. Reflecting on everything, Sabalenka is now grateful for a challenging 2022 season as she believes those hardships have helped her be where she is today.
“I’ve been through a lot of tough moments in the last year. They always say that everyone happens for a reason and I couldn’t understand what was the reason. What did I do wrong to deserve it? Right now sitting here, I have this understanding.
Now I got it. I think I wouldn’t win a Grand Slam without that situation,” Sabalenka said. Following her Australian Open triumph, Sabakenka also rose to No 2 in the world.
