Aryna Sabalenka endured a challenging departure from the 2024 Indian Wells Open on Wednesday, exiting in the fourth round to 23rd seed Emma Navarro in three sets. Despite staging a comeback in the second set, the Belarusian was unable to decisively shift the momentum in her favor against the American, ultimately succumbing 3-6, 6-3, 2-6.
During her press conference following the match, the World No. 2 was asked by a journalist about how she is perceived by fans at large. The journalist hinted at Sabalenka being ‘misunderstood’ by those who may not fully grasp her ‘fun-loving’ side, which is often evident when she interacts with the media.
The journalist also highlighted the dichotomy displayed by the two-time Grand Slam champion, noting that while Sabalenka presents a very serious demeanor on the court, she exhibits a charismatic and humorous persona off it.
“The other day you were so much fun here in the press room, and you are often. You laugh so much and have such a good time. Talk about that. Do you think people sort of misunderstand you and don’t really get that fun-loving part of you?”
the journalist said.
“They don’t understand what a wonderful sense of humor you have, how free-thinking you are. I don’t know. You have a charm to yourself that I don’t think the fans necessarily understand. So intense on court. The dichotomy,” .
they clarified further.
Sabalenka, however, brushed off any concerns about how she is perceived, stating that she will simply be herself and not worry about making fans understand her. The 25-year-old emphasized that this is the “real” her and that she has no desire to be fake in order to better appeal to fans.
While Sabalenka acknowledged that it would be nice if people understood that side of her, she was clear about the fact that she cannot change who she is on the court. For her, it is more important to play the way she wants to, regardless of others’ perceptions.
“I mean, if people don’t understand that, it’s not like I’m trying to make them like me. It’s just the way I am, and there always will be people who understand that and there is always will people who not. I’m just the way I am. I don’t want to be fake. I want to be real. This is the way I am,”
Aryna Sabalenka said..
“I really want them to understand and, yeah, to understand me, but I don’t know what to say on this question. I mean, on court that’s my, I don’t know, that’s my job and that’s what I’m really crazy about, I want to do well. That’s why I a little bit crazy there. And off court, I’m just normal person. I don’t know. It’s like awkward question. I don’t know what to say. I think I said enough,”
she added.
“It’s not like I won Australian Open the beginning of the year and the year is done” – Aryna Sabalenka
BNP Paribas Open 2024 – Day 9
Aryna Sabalenka also discussed her outlook for the rest of the season following her exit from Indian Wells, mentioning that there are several tournaments she aims to win. The Belarusian emphasized her hunger for victory, stating that she does not believe her year is over just because she has already won one Grand Slam title (the Australian Open).
Aryna Sabalenka is determined to continue her success on the tennis circuit, expressing her ambition to win more tournaments despite her exit from Indian Wells. She’s driven by her hunger for victory and aims to add more titles to her resume, emphasizing that her year is far from over despite already clinching the Australian Open.
“There are so many tournaments I really would like to win, and there is so many goals. It’s not like I won Australian Open the beginning of the year and the year is done. I always hungry for wins and I always want to do well and always want to bring my best tennis,”
Aryna Sabalenka said.
“So, yeah, I’ll keep working, and hopefully at the end of the year I’ll think about this year as the best year of my career,”
she added.