Aryna Sabalenka is turning the Australian Open into her personal playground! After bagging back-to-back titles at Melbourne Park, the Belarusian powerhouse is once again blazing her way into the finals, set to face Madison Keys on Saturday at the iconic Rod Laver Arena. But what’s the secret sauce behind her incredible success in Down Under? Sure, her unmatched skills and sheer determination are the obvious answers. And yes, a sprinkle of good fortune never hurts. But there’s another game-changing factor that’s been tipping the scales in her favor: the Melbourne crowd.

The Belarusian tennis sensation played her latest match against her best friend Paula Badosa in the semi-finals. Depicting complete dominance, she left the Spaniard baffling in straight sets 6-4, 6-2. But what caught the attention was her immense admiration for the crowd as she engaged in an interaction with the press after her victory. Sabalenka highlighted that she has become accustomed to every aspect of the Australian Open and hence, the venue is nothing less than her home to her. 

Speaking in the interview, Sabalenka said, “I just feel like home. Last year I thought, ‘Okay, I feel like home. I feel so good here. I feel all the support.’ But this year I feel it even more. I feel like I’m coming back to my home slam. I know everything, I know every area like I know where to warm up, so it’s not that crowded.” Continuing further, she expressed her gratitude to the crowd in Australia highlighting how they motivate her immensely. 

“I go there and I feel like people like screaming my name, they support me and  I have goosebumps every time they scream, like ‘let’s go Aryna.’ It’s incredible to feel that support here,” Sabalenka added. Interestingly, this statement from Sabalenka comes just a week after Danielle Collins engaged in an ugly banter with the crowd at the Australian Open. 

For those unaware, the drama surrounding Collins began during her second-round clash with Destanee Aiava last week. The American star was heavily booed by the crowd after she won the first set against Aiava. Collins responded to this by blowing kisses in the directions of fans which seemingly angered the crowd even more. When booing did not stop even after Collins’ win, she decided to take a sharp dig at the crowd. “I was thinking during the match, I’m out of here, I might as well just take that big, fat paycheck. So thank you, guys, thanks for coming out here and supporting us tonight!” Collins said after the match. Interestingly, she even lashed out at the audience during her press conference as well.

“Yeah, bring it on. I love it … All I have to say is seriously, good luck trying to get under the skin of somebody that really doesn’t care,” Danimal remarked. And now, Sabalenka expressing her love for the same crowd is quite fascinating with their perspectives being totally opposite. 

Meanwhile, Sabalenka is now gearing up to face Keys in the semi-finals. But it is not just the title that she wishes to win in Melbourne. 

Aryna Sabalenka eyes to emulate Australian Open record

Aryna Sabalenka’s prowess has remained evident throughout the tournament. She has dropped just one set en route to the finals and has been in impeccable form. Now, there is a lot at stake for the Belarusian Star. And guess what? Sabalenka wishes nothing less than to create remarkable records at the tournament this year.

If Sabalenka manages to win the title, she will become only the sixth player in the Open era to clinch three straight Australian Open titles. Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, and Monica Seles have done this in the past and the latest to have achieved this feat was Martina Hingis who won the titles between 1997-99. Speaking about the same, Sabalenka depicted immense motivation. 

“I have goosebumps. I am so proud of myself and my team that we were able to put ourselves in such a situation,” Sabalenka said. “If I put my name in history it will mean the world for me. I couldn’t even dream of it,” she added. Now, as the tournament unfolds, it will be interesting to see if Sabalenka can etch her name in history and join the elite club. Will Keys be able to become the roadblock? Well, that remains to be seen.