Google News Aryna Sabalenka: Don't know how many liters of alcohol my team drank after AO win
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 13339
Aryna Sabalenka revealed her team celebrated hard following her Australian Open triumph but noted that she didn't drink any alcohol. Sabalenka, 24, recovered from a set down in the Australian Open final to beat Elena Rybakina and lift her first Grand Slam title.
"Can I say that (smiling)? Like straight after the title, we went back to the hotel and all my team was drunk. (Laughter.) I don’t know how many liters they drink that day. There was the most funny and, yeah, memorable moment.
Why you’re like hanging your hat, hiding? That’s normal. That’s okay. I think everyone would do the same, no? Everyone was so stressed during that weeks, I think it was normal to have a little drink. Yeah, I didn’t drink," Sabalenka said.
What is different now for Sabalenka?
In the past, Sabalenka was three times beaten in a Grand Slam semifinal. But at this year's Australian Open, Sabalenka arrived with a new much calmer attitude and demeanor. Now, Sabalenka admits some of her previous Grand Slam losses were caused by the pressure she felt to deliver.
But now that Sabalenka is a Grand Slam champion, she won't feel anymore that extra pressure at Majors. "It’s just good to know that you have won already, you know, (smiling). Because before, I didn’t have a slam, and every time I felt so much pressure from myself, because I really wanted to get it.
Every time something would happen, I would lose like really close match just because I really want it and I would miss so many easy shots. Right now it’s given me more belief and understanding what I have to do on those important matches," Sabalenka said.
Following her Australian Open title, Sabalenka returned to a career-high ranking of No 2 in the world. One of Sabalenka's next goals is to reach the world No 1 ranking.