QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN

February 20, 2022

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to Doha. Tell us how you're feeling heading into the tournament.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I'm really happy to be here. It's amazing tournament. I have a lot of good memories from here, so really happy to be here.

THE MODERATOR: How are you finding the conditions so far?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I like it (smiling). It suits my game well. Yeah, I like it.

THE MODERATOR: Can you give us just your quick reflections on Dubai last week.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, was tough week. I would say I didn't perform my best, but I gave everything I had.

I felt like things are slowly getting back. Yeah, I'm working hard, and hopefully I can do better here.

THE MODERATOR: Can you repeat your last thoughts real quick.

ARYNA SABALENKA: About Dubai?

THE MODERATOR: Yes, please.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I think I didn't perform my best there, but I gave everything I had. Hopefully this week can be better for me.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. Welcome back to Doha. It's a very tough field, a lot of top players, about eight of the top-10 players and former champions here. In such a tournament, every match is a challenge and every point would be a challenge. How much emphasis do you put on the mental side of your preparation for such tournaments, or do you rely more on experience and your presence of mind on the court? My second question is you had a great run in 2020, a fantastic year in Doha. Do you think there is a possibility of a repeat?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, yeah, it's really strong tournament here. Every match is a battle here.

But I would say that everywhere every match is a battle for us, and every match, every tournament is challenge. I'm open for all these challenges and looking forward for all these matches.

Yeah, once I won this tournament, and hopefully I can do it again.