Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka lifts the victory trophy with a small blemish
Aryna Sabalenka celebrated her great triumph at the Australian Open extensively. However, the title of the neutral athlete also raised sensitive questions.
by SID/red.
last edit:
Jan 29, 2023, 12:45 pm
Aryna Sabalenka appeared in a glamorous pink dress with blue heels and was elegantly cruised through Melbourne Botanic Gardens by a gondolier. "I still feel like I'm on another planet and I'm trying to understand what just happened," said the newly crowned Grand Slam winner after a short night in Melbourne at the obligatory photo shoot.
It was "the most beautiful morning of my life," said Sabalenka, who won the high-class final of the Australian Open against Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on Saturday 4: 6, 6: 3, 6: 4: "I like posing - especially as a champion." She sprayed champagne and repeatedly busted the mighty silver cup, the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, where one detail caught the eye.
No reception planned in Belarus
Her country of origin was not engraved behind the 24-year-old's name, as had been the case for all previous winners. Belarus is subject to sanctions for its role in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, including in tennis. The fact that a neutral athlete won the title at a major tournament for the first time raised sensitive questions. "Everyone still knows that I'm a Belarusian player," said Sabalenka.
The country's new sporting flagship will probably do without a larger reception in Belarus, which is ruled authoritarian by dictator Alexander Lukashenko. "I think I'll fly to Miami again," said Sabalenka, who only got tight-lipped on political issues. Otherwise, the feelings of happiness almost gushed out of her. She let it rip with her "crazy" team.
Top-class women's final
"Some of us didn't make it today, it was too much last night," said Sabalenka on Sunday. It got down to business - like the day before in the final duel with the equally strong Rybakina. National coach Barbara Rittner then spoke at Eurosport of "absolute tennis of the future" with serves beyond 190 kilometers per hour and great pressure from the baseline.
It is becoming apparent that both Sabalenka and Rybakina will be able to have a say in the awarding of Grand Slam titles in the future, alongside world number one Iga Swiatek.
No real sense of achievement for DTB and ÖTV
From a German perspective, however, the first highlight of the year Down Under was less than satisfactory. "The bottom line is of course: none in the second week," said Rittner. Laura Siegemund finished best as a third round participant. The first Grand Slam tournament of the year - admittedly with a difficult draw - was also disappointing for Julia Grabher from Vorarlberg.
Six-time Grand Slam winner Boris Becker emphasized that he thinks highly of Wimbledon quarter-finalist Jule Niemeier, who failed at Swiatek in Melbourne. The 23-year-old has a lot to keep up with the finalists. "The body size, the serve, the dynamics of the shots," Becker listed: "Maybe she needs to get a little fitter, a little faster around the leg muscles."
So that she can venture into the spheres of Sabalenka and Rybakina.
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