Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/S. Kartal

6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Aryna, are you happy to get that done today in straight sets?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I'm super happy with the win. After the first game, I felt like things wasn't going my way. I'm really happy that I could recharge and start everything over again and close this match in straight sets.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. What was the interaction with the chair umpire there in the beginning?

ARYNA SABALENKA: What was there? About the video review?

I don't know. I was just, like, why not let check the system (smiling). Just felt like trying and see, wasn't sure if the net was fixed or not. I was just, like, why not? We have this possibility. Why not to use it?

Q. Do you feel like you have been sort of tested enough before a quarterfinal, or maybe you sort of like having these very straightforward matches so far? I guess the first one was...

ARYNA SABALENKA: I'm not the only one who had straightforward matches. What are you trying to say (smiling)? You know, it's tennis. Especially woman tennis. Like anything can happen. Score looking easy but the matches wasn't easy.

I think I had enough time on court, and I think I'm ready for that quarterfinal match.

Q. Is it a situation where, like, then when you go into a quarterfinal match or the first time you're in a match in a tournament where it's really tight, maybe goes three sets, things like that, does it feel unfamiliar because you haven't been there in a while or you have just done it so many times?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Listen, I'm 26. I have played a lot of tournaments, been in a lot of different situations. Every player try to manage their energy and try to close every match as soon as possible just so they physically are ready for that tough matches.

So I think mentally, physically, I'm more than ready for those tough situations. I'm happy if they're gonna be, and if the match is gonna be easier, I'm also happy.

Q. Co-commentators on BNP Paribas Open Radio are feeling that maybe for you that you have been a little bit under the radar over here, considering there is Madison and Coco and et cetera. Do you feel you have been traveling a little bit under the radar?

ARYNA SABALENKA: No. I'm focusing on myself. We're in the States. Here is Coco and Keys. I understand they probably, I don't know, bigger here, which I'm also not sure about that, but it's okay. I don't care, you know. I don't care (smiling).

Q. That would have been my follow-up: Do you care?

ARYNA SABALENKA: No, I don't (smiling).

Q. There is a recent social media video, I don't know if you saw, where players were asked if they had to pick another player to get stuck in the desert with? The Tiger?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I got you. I got you, Iga. We're gonna survive. I'm gonna bring you food. Don't worry. (Laughter.)

Q. Do you think you'd be capable if stranded alone?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Listen, could go either way. If there wouldn't be food, I would go for her probably, you know. So it's kinda like good and bad option for her. I'll do my best to do everything so we are not hungry and we're safe. (Laughter.)