I’m a different person, says calmer Aryna Sabalenka after winning the Miami Open

MIAMI GARDENS – World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, fresh from her Miami Open triumph on March 29, credited her consistent form this season on mastering the temper which once plagued her performances.

She added Miami to the title she won in Brisbane by beating American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 at the Hard Rock Stadium.

The Belarusian has also featured in the finals at the Australian Open and Indian Wells, but showed her increasing maturity by handling a roller-coaster first set where she was broken three times by Pegula.

In the past, Sabalenka would react to a break of serve or moments of frustration with anger and sometimes loud displays of her annoyance with herself.

But there was no sign of such loss of cool against Pegula, and she said that was a result of the realisation that there was more to her game than her big serve.

“I struggled a lot in the past with a lot of different things, I went through really tough challenges, and I was struggling with my serve so much,” said the 26-year-old.

“I couldn’t serve for a while, so I had to play without the serve, and I think that was the moment when I realised that I actually have other weapons in my game, so I can actually win the match even if my serve is not working,” she said.

But there was also a conscious decision to cut out the antics when the game was in difficult moments.

“One day, I just decided, OK, whatever happens on the court, I’m not gonna show my emotions. I went through a lot, and there is much more difficult stuff in life than just any smash, so I was like, OK, whatever happens, I’m not gonna show any emotions. I’m done with that,” she said.

“I don’t wanna be that kid who’s like, keeps getting frustrated and losing the matches. And it worked really well.

“I think it was the first year when I won Australia Open (2023) that I just realised a lot of things, and since then, I’m a different person, a different player, and (stronger) in the mental part of the game. It was a huge improvement.”

Fourth seed Pegula had been hungry for revenge since losing to Sabalenka in her maiden Grand Slam final in New York last year, but the 31-year-old could not match the Belarusian’s raw power as she lost momentum after a promising start.

It was the third final in a row where Sabalenka beat Pegula, winning in Cincinnati in 2024 before the Flushing Meadows finale, and their career head-to-head is now 7-2 to the Belarusian.

“Three finals – really don’t want to like you right now,” Pegula said, joking during her trophy ceremony. “But you’re the best in the world for a reason.”

Sabalenka did not drop a set en route to the podium, beating former winner Danielle Collins in the round of 16. She then overcame Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the quarter-finals and sixth seed Jasmine Paolini in the semis.

The Belarusian had a margarita waiting for her at the Tennis Channel desk after she clinched the win, a sweet reward after winning 12 of her last 14 matches against players in the top 10.

“With the drink, with the trophy – feel super special,” she said, smiling.

Sabalenka said she would celebrate her victory with her team in Miami, where she keeps a residence, before turning her thoughts towards the clay-court season.

Her three Grand Slam wins (two Australian and one US) have all come on hard courts. Her best performance at Roland Garros was a run to the semi-finals in 2023.

She believes that she is now in a great position to make an impact on clay.

“I think physically I’m ready to go. Physically I’m strong, and I’m not rushing the point and I know I can stay in the point for how long I need,” she said.

“I think that’s the key, because I think I have got everything to be a good player on the clay court. I haven’t talked to my team. But I can assume we’re going to focus on my fitness,” she said. AFP, REUTERS