Aryna Sabalenka Hopes to Be ‘Grandma’ and Challenge Youngsters After ‘Old Guys’ Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, and Marin Cilic’s Australian Open Campaigns
Aryna Sabalenka has set up a blockbuster fourth-round match against teenager Victoria Mboko at Melbourne Park.
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Stan Wawrinka, Aryna Sabalenka, Novak Djokovic, Marin Cilic (Image via X/Roland Garros, HQ Pics, AllAboutHQ, Ministarstvo turizma i sporta)
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Aryna Sabalenka has secured a spot in the fourth round of the Australian Open for the sixth consecutive time. On Friday (January 23), she clinched a hard-fought 7-6(4), 7-6(7) victory over Anastasia Potapova.
At the press conference a reporter said the “old guys” Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, and Marin Cilic are staying “relevant” all the time thanks to their powerful performance and asked Sabalenka if she also imagined herself staying relevant at the twilight of her career. The aforementioned ATP players have booked a berth in the third round.
These guys are legends, GOATs, especially Novak. He’s been developing his game his whole career. Right now, he’s really relevant with the young boys, and he’s playing incredible tennis. I feel like it depends on your physicality, your mentality, and your approach to tennis. He’s very healthy, fit, and focused. At this age, he’s playing incredible tennis. I feel like there is no age anymore in sport. It depends how you approach everything and if you have a smart team around you.
Aryna Sabalenka said
Wawrinka, 40, who is playing in his farewell tour, played an epic five-set second-round match against 21-year-old Arthur Gea. Prior to knocking out the youngster, Stan the Man went past Laslo Djere in four sets. Next, he will be up against the ninth seed and 2024 US Open finalist Taylor Fritz.
As for myself, I’m not sure. But I cannot say anything because you never know. You don’t know what’s waiting for you tomorrow. Ideally, for me, I would love to maybe have kids at 32 or something. Knowing me, I know I love to accept tough challenges. Even after having kids, I would love to challenge myself coming back and see if I still have it. Just to challenge myself, you know? Probably we’re gonna see me being a grandma on tour, trying; hopefully I’ll be pushing these young girls.
Aryna Sabalenka added
Cilic, the 37-year-old Croatian ace, first breezed past Daniel Altmaier (double-bageled him), then knocked out 21st seed Denis Shapovalov. Next, he will be up against the 12th seed and three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud.
Djokovic is one of the favorites to win the Major Down Under. He won both his first two matches, against Pedro Martinez and Francesco Maestrelli, without breaking a sweat.
Aryna Sabalenka sets up a fourth-round clash with Victoria Mboko
Aryna Sabalenka is expecting nothing but a tough competition from her fourth-round opponent, Victoria Mboko. The 19-year-old, who made her Australian Open debut by defeating Caty McNally, battled past 14th seed Clara Tauson to set up a blockbuster clash with the first seed.
I don’t believe that mentality; they (teenagers) have nothing to lose because I’ve been in their shoes. You still go out there with hopes that you’re going to win this one, you’re going to be the young one to win the slam.
Aryna Sabalenka said at the press conference
Last year, Mboko lifted her career’s first title by defeating four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. She made her Grand Slam debut at the French Open last year and made the third round. Next at Wimbledon and the US Open, she suffered second-round and first-round defeats, respectively.
At Melbourne Park, Sabalenka is chasing her third title, having lifted the title in 2023 and 2024 by defeating Elena Rybakina and Qinwen Zheng, respectively. But last year, the four-time Grand Slam singles champion suffered a three-set defeat at the hands of Madison Keys in the final. Sabalenka also lost the French Open final last year but went on to win the US Open, defeating Amanda Anisimova.
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