Aryna Sabalenka Finds Herself Alongside Tennis Legends Stefi Graf and Maria Sharapova Following Her Dominant Australian Open Run

Coming in as the defending champion at the Australian Open, everyone had high hopes for Aryna Sabalenka. Not to everyone’s surprise, she stood up to the expectation and has been in a dominant run of form this year in Melbourne. So much so, that she made her way into the tournament’s semi-finals without even losing a single set.

While she did achieve a major milestone, she joined an illustrative list of former tennis players who came to the Australian Open and left a major mark. While the list was dominated by Maria Sharapova, Sabalenka managed to stay at the 6th spot while shaking hands with WTA legend Kim Clijsters.

Aryna Sabalenka joins an illustrative list of players who left a great mark at the Australian Open

It is no surprise that Aryna Sabalenka is making history at the Australian Open this year. The Belarusian beauty is playing like the tennis legends of the past. So much so, that she even joined the likes of the legends in an elite list. The list showed the minimum number of games that the players dropped while making their way into the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

Since the tournament got bigger in 1988, Maria Sharapova held the record by losing just 9 games in 2013. Now, Sabalenka joins the elite group, dropping only 16 games and landing at 6th place on this impressive list. What makes it even more special is that only two players, Monica Seles in 1991 and Steffi Graf in 1989, managed to win the title in the same year they had such an incredible run.

Sabalenka’s outstanding performance puts her right up there with these tennis greats. With just 2 steps closer to glory, will she be able to make it?

Thus, Aryna Sabalenka joined a list of elite players who began to dominate the grounds in Melbourne. While she is just 2 steps away from defending her title, she will be looking to join Steffi Graf and Monica Seles and create a league of her own.

Also read: Aryna Sabalenka Turns Candid on Boyfriend’s Simplistic Pep Talk That Became the Secret of Her Maiden Australian Open Crown

Sabalenka talks about taking revenge on Coco Gauff

While coming into her match against Coco Gaufff, Sabaelnka said that she is happy to play her yet again after the US Open loss. Not only this, she further suggested that she wanted that revenge and would do whatever it took to defeat her and make her way into the finals.

“I love it. I love it. After US Open, I really wanted that revenge, and, I mean, that’s a great match. It’s always great battles against Coco, with really great fights. I’m happy to play her, and I’m super excited to play that semifinal match,” said Aryna Sabalenka.

Thus, Aryna Sabalenka shared how she would be going into the match with the mindset of taking revenge on Gauff, who defeated her back at the finals of the US Open in 2023.

Watch this story: Bonafide Fitness Buff Serena Williams Reveals Major Nostalgia That Keeps Her Pumped Up In The Gym