SUMMARY
- Aryna Sabalenka took on Qinwen Zheng in the Australian Open final.
- However, in the hours leading up to the match, the Mayor of Perth was caught making sexist remarks about the match.
After two weeks of incredible tennis, Aryna Sabalenka has successfully defended her Australian Open title. Sabalenka was one of the most dominant players throughout the tournament, and she enjoyed her crowning glory in front of a packed Rod Laver Arena. It was a magnificent triumph for Aryna, who took on Qinwen Zheng in the finals. However, Perth Mayor Basil Zempilas felt differently about the women’s match.
In the hours leading up to the match, Basil was attending a press conference by WAMN News. The microphone caught him making disparaging remarks about the final between Sabalenka and Zheng. Zempilas can be heard confirming with a reporter about the match later in the day. Following the affirmative answer, Basil went on to call it a “reserves game” before the mic was cut off.
This is what Perth Mayor @BasilZempilas really thinks about women’s sport. What else does he say when he thinks the mic is off? #auspol #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/md2AxeTAAB
— Richard™ (@richo_1973) January 27, 2024
A clip of the incident has surfaced on social media, and Basil has come under fire for his comments. Ironically, Zempilas has been the Master of Ceremonies at several Australian Open finals in the past. Moreover, he also worked as a commentator for the tournament when it was under Channel Seven.
Basil has understandably come under fire for his misogynistic statement. Tennis fans took to social media to slam the Mayor of Perth, as one user said that it was, “Not funny Basil – in fact, very condescending,” of him.
Not funny Basil – in fact, very condescending 🤡
— MDmelb (@DmelbM) January 27, 2024
Since the outrage on social media, Zempilas has finally addressed the issue. He clarified that it was a misunderstanding, and he meant “reading the news against that broadcast,” referring to the match.
I need to make absolutely clear the conversation I had with @9NewsPerth reporter @GenoveseMichael today is being reported totally incorrectly.
Before today’s press conference Michael and I were talking about how presenting the news when a big sporting event is on at the same… https://t.co/bI5plk7UrM
— Basil Zempilas (@BasilZempilas) January 27, 2024
The final between Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng turned out to be a show of dominance for the Belarusian. She had a dream for her late father, and as she won her second title, she finally kept her promise.
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Qinwen Zheng in the Australian Open final
Sabalenka successfully defended her crown at Melbourne Park today. She took on Zheng, a first-time Grand Slam finalist, and crushed her 6-3, 6-2 in just 76 minutes.
In doing so, Aryna has become only the second player, after Victoria Azarenka, to win the title in two consecutive years. Sabalenka has etched her name in the record books, and this is just another feather in her cap.
Aryna Sabalenka becomes the 5th woman to win the Australian Open without dropping a set since 2000.
Lindsay Davenport
Maria Sharapova
Serena Williams
Ash Barty
𝘼𝙧𝙮𝙣𝙖 𝙎𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙠𝙖
An iconic group of women. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/wjmEdexWTX
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 27, 2024
Aryna was one of the most clinical players at the tournament this year. She did not drop a single set on her way to the final, a trend she did not break against Zheng either. Aryna is now the fifth player to win the title without dropping a set.
Sabalenka lost just five games in the final, the fewest since Azarenka’s 6-3, 6-0 win over Maria Sharapova in 2012. On an even more impressive note, Aryna dropped just 31 games throughout, one less than Ash Barty in 2022.
Hang this Sabalenka title run in the Louvre 🏆 pic.twitter.com/lvIULcZYrQ
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) January 27, 2024
This has been one of the most memorable title runs for any player at the Australian Open. Aryna Sabalenka has etched her name in the history of the tournament forever.
