There were no tears on the court after Aryna Sabalenka won her second Australian Open title on Saturday night but no one would be able to blame her if there were.
The 25-year-old Belarusian was utterly ruthless as she claimed her second-straight title at Melbourne Park in a 6-3 6-2 annihilation of China’s Qinwen Zheng.
Sabalenka was on a mission throughout the last fortnight, becoming just the fifth woman in Australian Open history to win the tournament without losing a set, as well as becoming the first since Victoria Azarenka in 2012 and 2013 to win back-to-back.
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However, the Belarusian wasn’t only driven by the will to defend her title but also a promise to her father Sergey, who passed away suddenly in November 2019 at the age of 43.
Sabalenka, who featured in the Netflix documentary Break Point, revealed she had promised to win at least two grand slam titles before the age of 25.
“I lost my father four years ago. We had one dream, that before 25 I will win a couple of grand slams,” Sabalenka said in the final episode of the first season.
“And when he passed away, I started thinking too much about it.
“Now I’m 24 and there is zero in my pocket.”
That scene was filmed before she broke through to claim her first win at the 2023 Australian Open title — achieving half the dream before her 25th birthday.
Sabalenka, who also featured in the first episode of the second season of Break Point told the program: “I really wanted to win a slam for him, just to put our family name in the history, but there’s so many thoughts going through your mind on that court, like I have to win every point, I have to win this slam. Thinking too much about it.”
However, in the scenes during the final, Sabalenka said it freed her up when she was finally able to speak to her mother after he father’s death.
“When I told her I want to win a slam for him, for his memory … she said ‘what are you talking about?’” she said.
“‘He was proud of you after each match you won. Every match for him mattered and titles wasn’t a big deal for him’.
“I kind of found this relief. He would be proud of me no matter what. I felt free.”
After going close to a second after two semi-final berths at the French Open and Wimbledon, as well as finishing runner up at the US Open, Sabalenka has finally been able to nab her second grand slam and fulfil her father’s dream.
While she said before her 25th birthday, fans have moved the goalposts slightly as she claimed her second title in the last grand slam before her 26th birthday.
Tennis social media guru Bastien Fachan tweeted: “For Aryna Sabalenka, who will be 26 when she next plays a Grand Slam after this one, winning her second Australian Open on Saturday would be extra special.
“Why?
“Because a dream she and her dad shared before he passed away in 2019 was that she’d win two Grand Slams by age 25.”
Canadian sports journalist Gabriel Morency commented: “Goosebumps …….She came from nothing. Father said she would win two majors by 25. He died in 2019. was killing her inside she hadn’t won one yet and was 2024. She just did it. Turns 26 May 5th. F*cking epic.”
After claiming the win, Sabalenka put her hands to her head before blowing a kiss to the heavens.
In her post-final press conference, Sabalenka was asked if she was playing to honour her father’s memory.
“Before last year’s slam, it was like that, but since then — of course he’s my biggest motivation, he’s been everything for me — but right now, like, I have my mum, my sister, who is here with me, and I feel like I have to think about them,” Sabalenka said.
“But I just feel that he’s always with me. I’m very thankful for everything he did for me, and if not for him I wouldn’t be here.
“Right now I’m playing for my mum and my sister and my grandmothers.”
In her on-court speech after being presented the trophy, Sabalenka also had some words for her family.
“I have never spoken about my family in the speeches when I have won before but thank you so much for everything they have done for me,” Sabalenka said.
“If I keep speaking in English and they will not understand me. Hopefully, someone can translate for them.
“I love you so much. You are my biggest motivation and everything I am doing, I am doing for you.
“I really miss you so much. Thank you, guys.”
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