World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has shared her perspective on the Indian Wells tournament, often dubbed the ‘fifth Grand Slam’, expressing her high motivation for the event.
Reflecting on her performances in Doha and Dubai, Sabalenka acknowledged her past struggles at these tournaments, attributing it to the physical toll of a deep run at the Australian Open. She mentioned that achieving significant success early in the season impacts her subsequent performances in February.
This year, she cited fatigue and illness as contributing factors to a particularly challenging February. However, looking ahead to Indian Wells, Sabalenka is optimistic and determined to perform well.
When questioned about drawing motivation from her Australian Open experience, Sabalenka confirmed that setbacks fuel her dedication to work harder. She stated that while the defeat was tough and required some time to process, she has moved on and is ready to seek revenge if the opportunity arises.
Addressing a question about psychological support, inspired by Madison Keys’ openness on the topic, Sabalenka revealed her long-term engagement with sports psychologists. She emphasized her ability to navigate challenging situations independently, relying on her close-knit team for support.
Sabalenka respects Keys’ approach to seeking external help but highlighted that personal preferences vary, and there’s no single right answer to handling mental challenges in professional sports. She values her team as her primary support system, finding external intervention unnecessary for her own mental well-being.
