Aryna Sabalenka Details Her Approach To Handling Pressure After Easing into Australian Open Quarters - UBITENNIS

Aryna Sabalenka Details Her Approach To Handling Pressure After Easing into Australian Open Quarters

By Adam Addicott
4 Min Read
Aryna Sabalenka - Australian Open 2025 (foto X @

Aryna Sabalenka believes the key to handling expectations is finding the right balance in her life as she gains momentum at the Australian Open.

The world No.1 dropped only three games during her comprehensive 6-1, 6-2, win over Mirra Andreeva in the fourth round on Sunday. Spending just over an hour on the court, Sabalenka fired 15 winners and 78% of her first service points to claim her 18th consecutive win Grand Slam win on a hard court. She is the youngest player to win this many matches in a row on the women’s Tour since Serena Williams did so between 2002 and 2004.

Sabalenka’s triumph comes just two days after she had to dismiss concerns about her serve after getting broken four times in a row during her third round clash with Clara Tauson. However, she believes such wins are good for her confidence on the court.

“When you struggle with your game and you had to overcome a lot of things in the match and you still win, it gives you so much confidence going into the next one,” Sabalenka explained after beating Andreeva.

“You know that no matter what is going to happen in the match, you’re going to be there, you’re going to be fighting. Like, your fighting spirit is there.

“Those matches gave me so much belief that no matter what I’m going to be there, I’m going to be fighting.”

The 26-year-old is bidding to become the first woman since Martina Hingis to win a third consecutive Australian Open title. On top of that, she is required to reach at least the semi-finals of this year’s tournament in order to have a shot of retaining her No.1 status which could be snatched away from her by Iga Swiatek.

The stakes are high for Sabalenka, who has her own formula when it comes to dealing with pressure.

“Of course, there’s the pressure. It doesn’t matter if you are No.1, No.2 or No.10. There is always the pressure,” Sabalenka said.

“It’s all about focusing on yourself, having fun outside of the court, take it easy outside of the court, because there is enough pressure on the court.

“It’s all about the balance.”

Sabalenka will next play the highly experienced Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who is through to the quarter-finals in Melbourne Park for the fourth time in her career and the first since 2020. 33-year-old Pavlyuchenkova, who defeated Croatia’s Dona Vekic 7-6(0), 6-0, is the oldest player remaining in the women’s draw and is playing in her 63rd Grand Slam.

“She’s the No.1 player in the world, playing so strong. She’s very powerful.” The Russian said of Sabalenka.

“I don’t know what to expect actually. Hopefully, I can bring some great tennis and try to compete against her power.

“I have zero pressure this tournament whatsoever.”

So far this season, Sabalenka has yet to lose a match and is currently on a nine-match winning streak.

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