Aryna Sabalenka remembers watching the 2016 Australian Open final between Serena Williams and Angelique Kerber over chocolate at a local cafe. Sabalenka, 24, advanced to her first Grand Slam final after beating Magda Linette 7-6(1) 6-2 in the Australian Open semifinal.
Seven years ago, Sabalenka was drinking chocolate and watching Kerber’s shock victory over Williams in the Australian Open final. «I remember that Kerber vs. Serena match. Yeah, I think I remember. There was TV in the cafeteria.
She was buying chocolate. Like, «Oh, good game, good job. Can I have my chocolate?» Sabalenka recalled, according to Musab Abid. Since the beginning of the season, Sabalenka has spoken on several occasions about her new attitude and behavior.
In the past, Sabalenka used to get angry and frustrated very easily on the court and that led her to self-destruction. But at the start of the 2023 season, Sabalenka is doing her best to remain calm and collected in any situation. Sabalenka’s new attitude and demeanor have seen her reach her first Grand Slam final at Melbourne Park.
«I’m not that boring I guess. I keep yelling ‘come on’ and all that. I don’t think it’s that boring to watch. I hope so. Just less negative emotions,» Sabalenka said.
Serena Williams refuses to slow down
Serena Williams refuses to slow down even after choosing to end her illustrious career on the court.
«I’m definitely evolving because I feel like when you retire, it’s different. You take off your gloves, or your club, or your racket, or whatever, or your computer, and then you just relax and walk away and basically take life.» , and that’s not what I’m doing.
I feel like, for me, retirement is such a big word for someone my age and I don’t think it really suits me. I never fit in a box anyway,» he explained to Gayle King. «I just need an arm out of the box or a leg, something,» the sports legend joked.
«It’s very hard for me to relax. I don’t know how to relax. I have to schedule it in my schedule. I’m not kidding,» she said, sitting outside in her sprawling Florida home. Without a doubt, Serena Williams has been an icon of women’s tennis throughout her impressive career, bringing much to the movement and her own opponents with her enormous talent and achievements.
The American champion recently retired from the sport, having reissued a series of records, including 23 Grand Slam titles out of a total of 73 on the WTA circuit (historical record in the Open Era, including men, since the Spanish Rafael Nadal is currently 22).
