WUHAN—Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka is set to continue her winning streak at the Wuhan Open, expressing confidence in maintaining her edge over China's top player, Zheng Qinwen. In an interview on the eve of the tournament, Sabalenka reflected on her successful season and her rivalry with Zheng, emphasizing her determination to remain a formidable challenge for the Chinese player.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Sabalenka detailed her experiences and expectations for the tournament, "It's nice to hear that I'm the mountain Zheng is yet to overcome. I will continue working to make sure she cannot overcome this mountain," Sabalenka stated, underscoring her ambition to win her third consecutive title at Wuhan. The Wuhan Open, the final WTA 1000 tournament of the year, marks a significant moment for Sabalenka, who has already captured two Grand Slam titles this season.
Reflecting on her year, Sabalenka rated her performance as a seven out of ten, noting room for improvement despite her impressive accomplishments, including a victory at the US Open. Her forehand speed, averaging 80 miles per hour, set a record this season, surpassing male counterparts like Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. "That forehand stats were insane. I didn't expect that number," she commented, highlighting her continuous effort to enhance her gameplay.
Sabalenka's recent 15-match winning streak ended with a quarterfinal loss at the China Open, a high-level match that she believes was a learning experience. "She just played a little bit better at the end," Sabalenka noted about her opponent Karolina Muchova, emphasizing the importance of learning from such defeats to improve and succeed in future tournaments.
Known as "Tiger Girl" in China, a nickname derived from her birth year and her aggressive playing style, Sabalenka enjoys significant popularity among Chinese fans. She commented on the affectionate reception and the tiger-themed gifts she receives from her fans in Beijing, "I love the nickname and I love tigers. It's a reminder that I have to fight for my dreams."
As for her relationship with Zheng, Sabalenka acknowledged the young Chinese player's growth and her own role as a benchmark for Zheng's development. "Zheng has improved a lot since we first played. It's nice to see her grow, and it motivates me to keep improving as well. Even when players are getting better, I have to keep working to make sure I'm still able to win them," she added.
Returning to Wuhan, where she claimed her first WTA Premier Five title, Sabalenka expressed her excitement and nostalgia. "I'm super excited to be back. I have a lot of great memories from Wuhan, and I really hope that this year I can win this beautiful trophy one more time," she said.
With the tournament underway and Iga Swiatek's recent withdrawal, Sabalenka sees a prime opportunity to close the points gap in the world rankings, aiming for the number one spot by year's end. Her story at the Wuhan Open continues to unfold as she seeks to cement her status at the pinnacle of women's tennis.