2024-08-23 21:22:38
Sabalenka reached the final at Flushing Meadows last year, losing to Coco Gauff in three sets.
She started the new year in impressive form, defending her Australian Open title without dropping a set and defeating Zheng Qinwen in the final in just 76 minutes.
She is often seen joking with the coaching staff and started a pre-game tradition of signing autographs on the head of Melbourne fitness coach Jason Stacey.
Sabalenka said she got her personality from her father, Sergey, a former ice hockey player who died in 2019 and whom she considered her biggest motivation.
“I wish he was still alive. I think we would be happy together now,” she said.
“Before, I was probably too obsessed with tennis and tried to focus too much and put a lot of pressure on myself.
“Lately, I just realized that’s not how it works. You have to balance effort, expectations, pressure and everything, with [a] Little joy.
“You have to find something that brings you joy, and I have my crazy team and we have a lot of fun together.”
The U.S. Open opens on Monday with title favorite Sabalenka taking on qualifier Priscilla Hon.
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