‘I Had To Step Back And Start Everything Over’: Aryna Sabalenka Opens Up On Ghosts Of Melbourne Three-Peat Disappointment
Aryna Sabalenka Finds Her Rhythm After Australian Open Heartbreak
Aryna Sabalenka fell just short of an Australian Open three-peat, suffering a heartbreaking final loss to Madison Keys. The defeat lingered in her mind, leading to early exits in Qatar and Dubai. However, the 26-year-old appears to be regaining her form, as she showcased in her 7-6, 6-3 victory over McCartney Kessler at Indian Wells on Saturday.
Processing the Pain of Melbourne
Reflecting on her Australian Open final loss, Sabalenka admitted that it took a mental toll on her.
“I’d say that after the final in Australia, I was really heartbroken,” she shared.
“It was very difficult to recover after that one, and in the Middle East, I was lost in my thoughts, trying to understand what went wrong. I kept replaying that match in my head.”
The World No. 1 acknowledged that dwelling on the defeat may have been a mistake, but ultimately, it was a necessary part of her journey.
“I think I had to go through it. I had to realize a couple of things,” she reflected.
A Fresh Start at Indian Wells
Determined to move forward, Sabalenka made a conscious effort to reset her mindset.
“I had to step back and start everything over again. Right now, I’m definitely feeling better, and that final is in the past,” she said.
“Just a good experience, a great lesson—hopefully, it will never happen again,” she laughed.
Indian Wells, where Sabalenka finished runner-up in 2023, feels like the perfect place for her to regain her confidence.
A Psychological Edge in California
The three-time Grand Slam champion believes that Indian Wells has a Grand Slam-like atmosphere, making it an ideal tournament to get back on track.
“Indian Wells feels like a Grand Slam. And with back-to-back Indian Wells-Miami Open, I love this stretch of the season. For me, it feels pretty big,” she said.
“Psychologically, I think it’s not that tough,” she added, hinting at her comfort level in California.
With Lucia Bronzetti awaiting her in the third round on Monday, Sabalenka will look to build on her momentum and make a deep run at Indian Wells.
