Aryna Sabalenka has recalled her “it’s not you, it’s me” second as she fought to save lots of the connection that finally made her profession.
Sabalenka jubilantly declared her stirring Australian Open last overcome Elena Rybakina one of the best day of her life, having returned from the depths of despair to lastly declare her maiden grand slam singles crown.
It was solely 10 months in the past, whereas grappling with self doubts and gripped by her notorious serving yips, that the Belarusian’s trusted coach Anton Dubrov tried to stroll away.
But Sabalenka insisted: “No, it’s not you. We just have to work through these tough moments and we’ll come back stronger.”
“It was after Dubai happened. He just said like, ‘I don’t know what to do. I think you need to find someone else who’s going to help you’.
“But I knew that it is not about him. It’s simply one thing about me. I simply have to determine the issue. We need to get via it.”
And get via it they did.
After coughing up some 56 double faults and crashing out in the fourth round of last year’s Australian Open, a desperate Sabalenka turned to a psychologist and biomechanic – and the stunning transformation is now complete.
Tennis’s most unfulfilled talent is a major winner at last.
“I’m actually blissful that we maintain working collectively. We went via so many issues collectively,” the 24-year-old said as she savoured Saturday night’s 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory over Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
“It’s even sweeter that we get it collectively as a staff. It was a protracted journey for us. We are right here with the grand slam title, which is absolutely superb.
“Nothing comes easily.”
Being banned from competing at Wimbledon final yr due to the invasion of Ukraine was sufficient “really tough” moments for Sabalenka.
But she returned to grand slam tennis on the US Open with new-found perception, drawing solely positives from a good three-set semi-final loss to world No.1 Iga Swiatek in New York – her third tumble on the final 4 of a serious.
“I learned that I have to be a little bit calmer on court and I don’t have to rush things,” Sabalenka mentioned.
“I just have to play my game, be calm, and believe in myself, that I can actually get it.
“These two weeks I actually was tremendous calm on court docket, and I actually believed in myself quite a bit, that my sport will give me lots of alternatives in every sport to win this title.”
Before, Sabalenka never truly believed she belonged.
“I all the time had this bizarre feeling when individuals would come to me and ask for signature,” she mentioned.
“I’d be like, ‘Why are you asking for signature? I’m no one. I haven’t got a grand slam’ and all these things.
“But I just changed how I feel. Like, I started to respect myself more. I started to understand that actually I’m here because I work so hard and I’m actually good player.
“Just having this understanding that I’m a superb participant, I can deal with lots of feelings, lots of issues on court docket.
“Every time I had a tough moment on court, I was just reminding myself that I’m good enough to handle all this, just everything.”
Sabalenka will return to an equal-career-high No.2 on the planet on Monday, with the highest rating and extra main spoils in her sights.
“We all have the kind of the same goals,” she mentioned.
“Winning a grand slam, of course. It’s not the last one on my list.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
