Aryna Sabalenka says she feels ‘motivated’ to win Wimbledon and become world number one after reaching the semi-finals at SW19.
The world number two could soon become the new world number one if she wins the next two matches at Wimbledon.
Sabalenka defeated Eastbourne champion Madison Keys 6-2 6-4 to reach her second Wimbledon semi-final.
After the match Sabalenka admitted it’s an amazing feeling to be back in the last four at SW19, “Yeah, it feels amazing,” Sabalenka stated in her press conference.
“I’m super happy to be back in the semifinals. Really looking forward for my semi-finals match. I mean, I feel like I’m one of the best. There is other great players. I mean, it’s not like I’m the best right now. I feel like one of the best.”
Should Sabalenka win Wimbledon it would be her second Grand Slam of the season and her career after winning the Australian Open in January.
However Sabalenka said that winning Wimbledon would be special and spoke about potentially claiming the world number one ranking if she wins the title, “To be honest, I want both,” Sabalenka responded when asked whether winning the title or becoming world number one is more important.
“But I’m trying to focus on myself because I know if I’ll start thinking about all this stuff, I’m going to lose my focus on court, my game. So I’m trying to focus on myself right now and make sure that every time I’m on the court I bring my best tennis.
“I remember myself, I don’t know, 14 or 15 years old going on my practice with the headphones listening to music and, like, dreaming becoming one of the best players in the world, dreaming about lifting this beautiful trophies.
“I mean, that’s something unbelievable. That’s something what really motivates me a lot, that I was able to become one of the best. I’m competing on the high level. So that’s something big for me. I mean, I’m going to do everything I can to lift this beautiful trophy.”
For Sabalenka to win the trophy she will first have to get past last year’s finalist Ons Jabeur and the second seed is looking forward to Thursday’s clash, “I felt like she’s going to do well here because she played unbelievable tennis on practice court,” Sabalenka said.
“I know it’s different on practice than on match. She was able to bring this level on matches. It’s not like I didn’t expect that. Yeah, she’s a great
player. We always had tough battles against each other, very close matches. I really looking forward for this great battle.”
Sabalenka currently leads their head-to-head 3-1 including a win at Wimbledon two years ago.
