“I’ll bring my best tennis in Australia again,” is what Aryna Sabalenka said after suffering defeat at the WTA Finals. Coming into the event as a hot favorite, the Belarusian star made her way into the semi-finals of the tournament. Playing against Coco Gauff, she didn’t have answers to the American’s powerful forehand. While things couldn’t turn well in her favor, Aryna Sabalenka revealed her plans as to what she would do next in order to get prepared for the next season.

Aryna Sabalenka opened up on a much-needed break following a tough 7-6, 6-3 loss to Coco Gauff in the semi-finals of the WTA Finals. After a season filled with intense matches, practice sessions, and constant travel, Sabalenka expressed a strong desire to recharge in the comfort of her own home. She revealed her longing for simplicity, saying, “Honestly, I will just stay home. I just want to sleep in my bed. Just want to do whatever I want.” This shows how Sabalenka, after a rigorous schedule, looks forward to relaxing and enjoying her personal space.

Sabalenka’s journey through the group stage at the WTA Finals had been impressive, with two wins and only one loss to Elena Rybakina. Her performance throughout the year demonstrated her resilience and skill. “Not having this crazy schedule of practice, travel, and all these stuff,” she added, highlighting her exhaustion. She made it clear that her immediate goal is to “chill, relax, and just be able to enjoy.”

Aryna Sabalenka has had one of the best years of her career. While she decided to skip Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics (owing to her injury concerns), she managed to lay her hands on 2 grand slams this year, the US Open and the Australian Open. Not only this, she also won titles at the Wuhan Open and the Cincinnati Masters while finishing the year as number 1 for the first time in her career. Despite her loss, Aryna Sabalenka believes that she has already achieved a lot this season.

Despite the defeat, Aryna Sabalenka is proud of what she has achieved

In the post-match conference following her defeat, Aryna Sabalenka shared her positive outlook on her 2024 season. She emphasized the achievements she’s made rather than focusing on her recent semi-final loss to Coco Gauff at the WTA Finals. Sabalenka’s strong season included standout performances, positioning her as one of the year’s most formidable players. After the loss to Gauff, Sabalenka expressed a healthy perspective, saying, “I think I achieved a lot this season, and there is no room for disappointment.” This sentiment reflects confidence, as she values her growth and accomplishments more than any single match outcome.

Baring the challenging end, Sabalenka’s overall performance throughout the year leaves her with reasons to celebrate. With the new season coming in, she, in the interview, expressed her anticipation while adding how she’s looking to give her best in those extra moments where she lagged this season. This could be about her losses at the Madrid Open and the Italian Open where she had to settle for the runner-up.

As she looks forward to a well-deserved break, Sabalenka remains focused on the progress she’s made and the high standards she has set for herself. Her achievements this season show her ability to compete with the best, and her mindset reveals a readiness to return even stronger next year.