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Aryna Sabalenka recalled her late father Sergey Sabalenka after winning the 2023 Australian Open title on Saturday. The Belarusian called up the heavens to ask whether he was "proud" of his daughter's monumental achievement.
Sabalenka's father had been a major support system for her during her early days. In fact, it was Sergey who introduced a young Sabalenka to tennis for the first time, after which the World No. 5 fell deeply in love with the sport.
Neeldess to say, it has been difficult for Sabalenka to play at the top level without the support of her father ever since he passed away in 2019.
After winning the first Grand Slam title of her career, beating Elena Rybakina in the final, the Belarusian couldn't help but emotionally reminisce about her father. She took to social media and wrote:
"Dad, would you be proud of me? #missyou #myangel"
Aryna Sabalenka faced Elena Rybakina in the final at the Rod Laver Arena after having stormed through the early rounds without dropping a set. She did lose the first set in the final, but the 24-year-old made a remarkable comeback to win the remaining two sets and win the match 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
After clinching the title, the Belarusian reflected on her own game, admitting that she should start respecting herself more for how "good" a player she is.
"I think right now I have a little bit, yeah, more respect to myself. I kind of starting to understand that I'm actually good player. I have to respect, not only respect everybody, respect myself as well, you know?," said the World No. 5 during the post-match press conference.
With the Grand Slam title Down Under, it is now two in two for Aryna Sabalenka in 2023. She also won the Adelaide International 1 trophy in the first week of January.
Aryna Sabalenka says countrywoman Victoria Azarenka inspired her to have the belief to win Australian Open title
Speaking at her press conference after the win, Aryna Sabalenka stated that countrywoman and two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka inspired her to believe in herself more.
"To be honest, I didn't really watch tennis that much when she [Azarenka] won Australian Open. But, I mean, of course, having a great player from my country helped me to kind of have this belief that I can do well. I thought if she could, then probably I can," said the 24-year-old.
Azarenka clinched the Major in Melbourne twice in her career, winning it in 2012 and 2013. She also reached the semifinals this time around, losing to Rybakina.
