"I hope she doesn't go into post-Grand Slam funk" - Jimmy Connors urges Aryna Sabalenka to build on her Australian Open 2023 triumph

Former American tennis star Jimmy Connors is cautiously optimistic for Aryna Sabalenka after her 2023 Australian Open triumph. Connors recently stated that he hopes Sabalenka builds on this victory in the future.

Sabalenka won her maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne last month. The Belarusian fought back from a set down in the final to defeat Elena Rybakina 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 28 minutes.

Speaking on an episode of the Advantage Connors podcast, Jimmy Connors, a former eight-time Grand Slam champion, congratulated Sabalenka on her Australian Open victory. He then expressed hope that she would use it as a springboard to achieve more in the sport instead of resting on her laurels.

"I'm very happy for her [Aryna Sabalenka] and I hope she doesn't go into, you know, to that post Grand Slam funk. I hope she doesn't think that she can live off of that for five years. I hope she says 'I'm on a roll. Now I'm going to stay on it and I want to play the kind of tennis necessary to keep putting me up there with a chance to win'," he stated.

"It's okay to party and enjoy it and all that, but you know what happens next week when you have to go up against and try to win another tournament, right? I hope she doesn't do that because if not then her confidence should be soaring right now," he added.

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"Calmer now, there is much more composure" - Prominent tennis journalist praises Aryna Sabalenka

Prominent tennis journalist Steve Flink also applauded Aryna Sabalenka for her 2023 Australian Open victory and praised her development as a player. In a recent interview with Ubitennis, Flink stated that Sabalenka is a good all-round player now and that she has become a better shotmaker from the baseline.

“Aryna Sabalenka is calmer now, there is much more composure. Even when she served a double fault on match point in the last game, she kept her concentration, took a breath, and got on with it,” said Flink.

“I think one of the separating factors between her and Rybakina was that she defended better and she is a better shotmaker from the baseline. Sabalenka is a good all-around player, there is a way to go but she is getting there,” he added.

Flink also reserved praise for Elena Rybakina, the runner-up at the Asia-Pacific Major. The Kazakh player has reached two Grand Slam finals in the past 12 months; she won the Wimbledon Championships in 2022 (beating Ons Jabeur) before losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the Melbourne final.

“Rybakina has one of the best women’s first serves in tennis but maybe needs to improve on her second. It kicks up a bit and the better players can take advantage of that. She can also get a little shaky off the ground but by being in the final of two majors over the past year, I am very encouraged by her,” Flink stated.