?What Can Be Worse??- 2 Steps Away From Her US Open Dream, Aryna Sabalenka Snubs off Scorching New York Heat With a Quirky Florida Admission

After experiencing a strawberry summer at the Wimbledon Championships, the tennis community is blazing in New York’s raging temperatures. WTA and ATP professionals suffered alike in the sweltering weather, barely surviving the nightmare weather. The back-to-back sweltering Grand Slams took a toll on players like Ons Jabeur and Daniil Medvedev, who faced severe breathing issues mid-match. But the new World No.1, Aryna Sabalenka, shook the world with her surprising statement about the heat.

The Belarusian boasted of her immunity to the heat as she dug up the environment she grew up in. Sabalenka stayed for long stretches in America’s hottest cities, like Miami and Florida. So, her verdict on the heat at Flushing Meadows differed from the majority.

Aryna Sabalenka makes a sizzling confession at the US Open

The Australian Open champion eased her way to the semi-finals by defeating Quinwen Zheng. The Belarusian did not drop a set in her New York journey. But Sabalenka has yet to reach the finals of a major other than the Australian Open. So, she practiced in the burning temperatures that gave her an advantage over her opponents.

Belarus is known for its freezing temperatures, but the WTA top seed adapted perfectly to high temperatures. After her quarter-final win, a reporter asked the 3rd time US Open semi-finalist how it felt to play in New York’s heat. Sabalenka answered, “I mean, it was hot, but yeah
because I did my preparation in Florida. I mean, what can be worse than Florida? (Laughter).”

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The 25-year-old elaborated, “I mean, in July and June, you know. Not like overall. So yeah, I think that’s really helped me today to, yeah, to stay strong and to, like, don’t really get tired because of the heat.” And sure enough, the tenacity of the new World No.1 equalled one of Serena Willams‘ records in the majors.

Serena Williams’ Grand Slam record finally found company

In 2016, Serena reached the semi-finals of all the Grand Slams, though she clinched only the Wimbledon title. She was the last person to reach the semis of all majors in the previous 7 years. But with her recent win, Sabalenka equaled her, as she, too, holds a calendar semi-final record, with one winning Slam to date.

Apart from the Belarusian, the other 3 champions are yet to clinch their maiden Slam. Coco Gauff is in excellent form, displaying her career-best performance. Karolina Muchova reached the semi-final of the Flushing Meadows for the first time in her career. Madison Keys, Sabalenka’s next opponent, reached her first semis at the New York Slam since 2017.

Except for the French Open, all Slams this year witnessed a different WTA champion. Whoever wins this Slam, it would be their first US Open title. Two out of the last four are Americans, and they carry the country’s high expectations to win a Slam on the home turf to end a long drought.

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