Aryna Sabalenka has been praised for her exceptional Australian Open success after she became the only 9th player in Open history to defend her title at the event.
World No. 2 Sabalenka clinched her second Grand Slam title on Saturday as she clinically dismantled first-time finalist Chinese Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena.
The Belarusian broke as early as the second game of the match and then held her serve effectively to earn a straight-set historic victory to enter the exclusive club that has been previously decorated by Margaret Court, Jennifer Capriati, Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, Monica Seles, Evonne Goolagong, Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka – all successfully defended their titles in Melbourne Park.
Sabalenka is now only the fifth player since 2000 to clinch the Australian Open title without dropping a set with the others being Aussie Ashleigh Barty (2022), Maria Sharapova (2008), Serena Williams (2007) and Lindsay Davenport (2000).
What was also incredible was that the 25-year-old dropped only 31 games en route to the title which is just one above the Barty who dropped 30 in 2022. 1987 Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash compared the 2-time Grand Slam champion to the WTA GOAT Serena Williams.
Cash was part of the BBC5 Live coverage of the Australian Open and here is what he said about the WTA No. 2: “She is unstoppable when she goes like that, a bit like Serena” as he praised the Belarusian for her flawless performance.”
“That is as present as it gets. Sabalenka came out aggressive. She knew she had the pace to upset Zheng, for a first time in a Grand Slam final.
“Zheng hadn’t seen anything like this considering she hadn’t played a top 50 player all the way through. Sabalenka was absolutely flawless.”
He continued: “We know how good she is, but that was an exceptional tournament. She’s played some tough players and dealt with them easily.”
A jubilant Sabalenka was at loss of words after her seamless victory, but she did manage to give a “weird” post-match presentation speech that included acknowledging her opponent Zheng’s impressive run in the tournament.
“It’s been an amazing two weeks lifting this trophy one more time, and I’m really speechless. As always my speech is going to be weird, It’s not my superpower but I’ll try my best,” she said.
“Team – wow. You see guys, I put a little bit of pressure on them in the Brisbane final and we did a little bit better in this one. Thank you so much for being by my side no matter what. Without you I wouldn’t be able to achieve so much in my sport.
“Without me you wouldn’t be that good as well so let’s accept that fact (smiling).”
She also paid tribute to Zheng.
“I want to congratulate Qinwen on an incredible couple of weeks in Australia,” she said. “I know this feeling. It’s really tough to lose in the finals but you are such an incredible player and such a young girl, you are going to be in many more finals and you’re going to get it. Congrats to you and your team on an amazing job.”