Aryna Sabalenka has delivered a trademark backhanded compliment to her team, which helped her to a second grand slam title on Saturday night.
Sabalenka won her second consecutive Australian Open campaign, needing just over an hour to defeat Qinwen Zheng 6-3 6-2.
It marked a brilliant recovery from her loss to Elena Rybakina in the Brisbane International final, after which she playfully roasted her support team.
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This time around, Sabalenka was the victor, but she still saved some tongue-in-cheek remarks for her team.
“To my team, wow. I put a bit of pressure on them after the Brisbane final and we did after the Brisbane final and we did a bit better in this one,” she said.
“Thank you so much for being by my side, no matter what. I think I have everything. I have forgotten what I wanted to say but without you, I would not be able to achieve so much in this sport.
“Thank you for everything you are doing for me. I will keep repeating the same thing, thank you for everything you have done for me.
“Without me, you would not be that good as well. Let’s accept that.”
The 25-year-old finished with, “Wow, that was long, sorry.”
Sabalenka became the first female to defend her Australian Open title since compatriot Victoria Azarenka in 2012-2013.
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