INDIAN WELLS – World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka shrugged off her stunning defeat by Emma Navarro in the fourth round of Indian Wells on March 13, saying that she hoped next week’s “home” tournament in Miami would help her hit peak form again.
After winning the Australian Open in January for her second Grand Slam title, the Belarusian lost to Donna Vekic in the second round in Dubai before crashing 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 to 23rd seed Navarro.
“I’d say that this year Indian Wells I didn’t feel my best on these courts. I tried to adjust. We tried to work on a couple of things, make sure I’m there and I’m fighting for the title,” Sabalenka said.
“We did our best and we’ll learn. We’ll work a little bit more on the movement and hopefully I’ll be ready for Miami.”
The Minsk-born 25-year-old, who now resides in Miami, said she is looking forward to the March 19-31 tournament in Florida and hopes to improve on last season’s quarter-final finish.
“I love this tournament and I’d say I feel at home because I stay at home there. Such a nice tournament. I didn’t have a chance to play really well there,” she added.
“Hopefully this is the year to show my best and to bring my best tennis and to do well there.”
Sabalenka, who reached the US Open final in 2023 as well as the semi-finals of the French Open and Wimbledon, also said she was determined to build on her success at Melbourne Park.
“It’s not like I won Australian Open at the beginning of the year and the year is done. I’m always hungry for wins and always want to do well and bring my best tennis. 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 said.
Navarro next faces ninth-ranked Maria Sakkari of Greece, a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 winner over France’s Diane Parry. The American, who is known for keeping her emotions under wraps, did a subdued fist pump after beating Sabalenka in front of a supportive crowd at Stadium One.
“It’s a little bit unnatural for me to be in the spotlight and be playing on a court like that with a ton of fans and TVs and eyes on me. It’s not my natural way,” the 22-year-old said.
“But I feel I’m definitely getting more comfortable with it and just feeling like I can be myself even if there’s many people watching. Also I think that was my second or third fist pump ever. If it was a little weird, cut me some slack.”
US Open champion Coco Gauff, who celebrated her 20th birthday on March 13 with a “straightforward” victory, said on-court goals are her priority for the next decade.
“Tennis goals, definitely to win some more Slams, and I want to medal at this Olympics or 2028,” she said after cruising past Elise Mertens 6-0, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals, where she will take on China’s Yue Yuan.
“Life goals... I haven’t thought that far. I’m not trying to get married or anything. Definitely no kids. Just tennis right now, and we’ll see where life takes me off the court.”
With her birthday falling in the midst of a prestige tournament, Gauff was not planning any major celebration. In fact, she said, even thinking of a gift for herself was hard.
“I haven’t gotten anything for myself, I always forget,” she said. “I always say I’m going to get myself something, but I still haven’t gotten myself anything from US Open!
“I mean, the things that I want (off the court) I already have. You know, I’m healthy, happy, on tour, living the dream.” REUTERS, AFP
