MUTUA MADRID OPEN

April 30, 2025

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/M. Kostyuk

7-6, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Aryna, how did you close that match tonight?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Honestly, I don't know, it was a battle, and I'm super proud the way I handle my emotions. The conditions were really tough. At some point I was like, it's a joke, like what can I do? I was just trying to stay in the game, and I was just trying to fight for every point. I'm super happy that I was able to get this win.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. There was so many times when both sets could have gone her way, what were you telling yourself in those moments to get over the line, and also what was it like serving in the rain, that didn't look fun?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Oh, my God, serving in the rain, I thought I could handle it, but the moment I was going up, like all of the water was going into my eyes, it was impossible to serve, I would just double fault it. I was like, I don't want to do that, so I had to stop the game.

Yeah, as I said, it was a battle. You know, both of the sets she was really close to get them. I was just like trying to stay in the game, and trying to fight, trying to put as many balls as I can on that side and put all of the pressure on her and see if she can close it. I'm glad she couldn't, and I'm really happy that, yeah, I think I handled myself pretty well in that match.

Q. You said you were proud to handle your emotions, were there specific moments in the match where the emotions were higher than other moments?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, I think the end of both sets were pretty tough. I think, like the whole match, like I was handling myself because of the conditions. It was like, you know, it wasn't about tennis, it was just about the way you can handle yourself and the way you can focus on yourself. That's what I mean by handling myself. Because I think, like in those conditions anyone can win, so it's nothing about tennis. That's what I mean by saying that.

Q. Historically in tennis the best players often have an aura, and their presence, it's difficult for lower-ranked players to beat them and to play well in the biggest moments. Do you feel you have that when you step on court, and given all you've achieved it's very difficult to beat you?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, I'm not thinking about that, honestly. Every time I'm going out there I'm thinking about fighting for every point. I respect every player and I know that like it can be really difficult match against anyone. So I'm trying to focus on myself and I'm thinking about bringing my best tennis and my best fighting spirit and that's all I'm thinking about going on the court.