THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 7, 2023

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/V. Gracheva

2-6, 7-5, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference for Aryna Sabalenka.

Aryna, what are your takeaways from today's match?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, it was really tough match. I'm just super happy that I was able to get through it in the second set to finally find my game, yeah, fight through this tough match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What was going through your mind in that first set? You seemed very frustrated on court. How much pride do you take in the way you turned the match around?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I didn't play my best tennis. It was really crazy, crazy experience.

But then I change my strings, kind of adjust my game a little bit, start feeling better on court. But, yeah, I was just keep telling myself keep fighting, keep trying, and probably you'll be able to turn around this game.

Yeah, super tough one and super happy to get this win.

Q. How did you reestablish control in the second and win the third set so easily?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, I was just keep trying to fight, keep trying to find my rhythm. I think in the second set I start feeling better. Kind of I felt like everything is kind of under my control.

Then in the third set I was just going for my shots. I mean, I felt like I came back in the match. I start feeling better. I was just going for my shots. Yeah, just going for it.

Q. I don't know if it was the key moment, but I remember your scream during the second set. A mix of frustration, anger, or something else?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I was little bit crazy in that moment. I mean, I can't throw my racquet on the grass, so I felt like at least I need to scream, kind of lose it a little bit. After that I felt a little bit better. I felt a little relief inside (smiling).

Yeah, I felt like I started thinking a little bit better.

Q. Did you feel before the match that something is not okay?

ARYNA SABALENKA: No, no. I felt great actually. It was just little bit warm and I didn't adjust my strings. I ask stringers to redo my racquet for a little bit heavy strings. Yeah, after that I start feeling better on court. The ball didn't fly that far and that fast after.

Q. How much do you feel about the support? You seem to be a player a lot of people like to watch, get behind.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, that really means a lot. They can't even imagine how much it means for me. I'm super happy to have this support. Sometime in the tough moments when you feel the support, it kind of give you some energy and power to keep fighting, keep trying, just to stay as long as you can in front of people here.

Q. At the beginning of the tournament, you spoke about your joy in being back. Now that you're really into it, how would you describe how you felt and how you feel right now?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I was little bit worried how it's going to be here after we didn't play last year. Now, when I feel all this support, I feel amazing. Super happy to be here and play in front of people.

Q. In terms of your game, whatever questions you might have had about being back on the grass, what questions have you answered for yourself so far?

ARYNA SABALENKA: About what? About the grass?

Q. About your game, being on grass.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, I played a long season on the clay court. It's completely different tennis. I played one tournament in Berlin, and I didn't feel my game quite well on the grass.

But then going here, I realized I just have to stay as long as I can, yeah, and just go for my shots here on grass.

Q. You mentioned some question mark, doubts, before the tournament. Was it more about lack of playing on grass last year or more about reaction because of them?

ARYNA SABALENKA: It's kind of little bit of both. I didn't play last year here. I felt like grass here is a little bit different. I was a little bit worried how I'm going to adjust my game to this grass.

Then, yeah, we been banned last year. I didn't know what to expect from people. For me it's really important to feel the support on the match. After the first match I felt amazing. I was really thanksful [sic] for all the support. It was an amazing atmosphere, amazing feeling playing here.