SUMMARY
- Aryna Sabalenka has been in terrific form at the Australian Open this year.
- She will try to successfully defend her title for the promise she made to her father.
Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka has been on a roll at the Australian Open this year. As the defending champion, Sabalenka has demolished her opponents en route to the final. There is more to Aryna’s drive to win the title this year, though, and it is very personal to her.
Sabalenka has been one of the most consistent players on tour in the last few years. She has worked hard on her game, and she is now reaping the rewards. The big-hitting Belarusian is ranked No. 2 in the world at present, with her eye on the top spot. Moreover, Sabalenka is also a Grand Slam champion, winning her maiden major title in Melbourne in 2023.
Aryna is on a mission to win her second Grand Slam this time because, by the time the next major rolls around, she will turn 26 years of age. So why is this one so special? Sabalenka shared a dream with her father that she would have claimed two major titles by the age of 25.
For Aryna Sabalenka, who will be 26 when she next plays a Grand Slam after this one, winning her second Australian Open on Saturday would be extra special.
Why?
Because a dream she and her dad shared before he passed away in 2019 was that she’d win two Grand Slams by age 25. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/DOEWkX3ke1
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) January 25, 2024
Sabalenka had an opportunity to win her second one at the US Open last August. She took on Coco Gauff in the final at Flushing Meadows, and despite starting strongly, Gauff defeated Aryna.
The US Open defeat crushed Sabalenka, but she is on a mission to make that dream come true. Sabalenka has already fulfilled one of his other dreams—becoming the world number one. Now, it is time for the other.
Aryna Sabalenka is on the cusp of history in Melbourne. She has had a dream run at the tournament this year, and only Qinwen Zheng stands in her way to glory.
Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open 2024
The Belarusian player has been at her explosive best at the tournament this year. Sabalenka is a woman on a mission and is just one more win away from defending her title successfully.
After Victoria Azarenka, Aryna is the only other player to make it to the finals of three hard-court Grand Slams. Sabalenka is also the only woman after Serena Williams to make it to back-to-back finals at the Australian Open.
Aryna Sabalenka is the first woman to reach back to back singles finals at the Australian Open since Serena Williams.
Serena – 2016, 2017
𝘼𝙧𝙮𝙣𝙖 – 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 pic.twitter.com/LN1qpRDsmH
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 25, 2024
Aryna has not dropped a single set en route to the finals this year. In fact, Aryna has won 26 of her past 27 sets at Melbourne Park, dating back to her title run last year. This will also be her 26th career tour-level final, the most by any player since 2017.
Sabalenka defeated Ella Seidel, Brenda Fruhvirtova, Lesia Tsurenko, Amanda Anisimova, Barbora Krejcikova, and Coco Gauff. The American teen fought hard, but Sabalenka prevailed.
Aryna Sabalenka will hope to continue in the form she has been playing in of late. After all, she still has a promise to keep. Sabalenka and Zheng will clash on January 27.
