Aryna Sabalenka’s season has been nothing short of exceptional, with her securing her inaugural Grand Slam title in the beginning of the year at the Australian Open. Sabalenka has consistently performed at the highest level, reaching at least the semifinals in all the major tournaments of 2023.
Her outstanding achievements are set to propel her to the world no. 1 ranking next week. However, despite these momentous accomplishments, the disappointment of narrowly missing out on her second Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open was evident as her tears rose while she addressed the audience.
In a moment of mixed emotions, Sabalenka turned to her team and expressed her gratitude, with her unique sense of humor. She joked, “Thank you, guys. They know they will be fired after this tournament.”
Aryna Sabalenka to her team at US Open:
“Thank you guys. They know they will be fired after this tournament.” 😂
Laughing & crying at the same time. Only Aryna. 😭❤️ pic.twitter.com/zdldEMtHuK
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 9, 2023
At the same time, she appreciated the good work that they were doing together as a team. Sabalenka said, “As always, we will come back stronger. Thank you for everything you do for me, and I really appreciate it and love you guys.” It was a testament to the close-knit bond she shared with her team.
The 25-year-old Sabalenka also reflected on her extraordinary season which propelled her to the world’s no. 1 ranking. She expressed a sense of contentment in her ability to maintain emotional composure and not be consumed by thoughts of her world no. 1 ranking during the intense competition at the business end of the US Open tournament.
Aryna Sabalenka breaks down remembering her family
Aryna Sabalenka is on the cusp of realizing her late father Sergey’s long-held dream of ascending to the world No. 1 ranking. Her climb to the top of the WTA rankings, slated for the upcoming week, marks a monumental achievement and a testament to the years of dedication she has poured into her tennis career, and an unwavering commitment to her father’s vision.
She also became the first woman to reach the semi-finals in all four major tournaments in a calendar year since Serena Williams accomplished this feat in 2016. However, following her first-ever loss in a Grand Slam final in US Open 2023, she struggled to contain her emotions. In a heartfelt on-court interview, she extended her apologies to her family back home, “I just want to send a lot of love to my family.. sorry for this result.”
Aryna Sabalenka is choked up in tears when talking about her family:
“I just want to send a lot of love to my family.. sorry for this result.” 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/rXoLOPxsas
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 9, 2023
She further stated recognizing the immense sacrifices they had made to support her tennis career,“Without [my family], I wouldn’t be here. They have been pushing themselves so hard so I would have this chance to become a tennis player.”
Sabalenka’s words reflected her gratitude as she continued, “I mean, now they have to go to bed, but they’re not going to sleep well. So that’s what I apologize for,” highlighting her empathy for her family’s dedication and sleepless nights during the tournament. Her concern for their well-being and her candid apology reflected the deep bond she shared with her family.
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