The moving promise Sabalenka kept to her late father by winning the Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka established herself as the queen of the Australian Open after beating Chinese tennis player Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-2 in the final without any major issues at the Rod Laver Arena. This second championship for the Belarusian on Melbourne soil is the first in a row after the last won by Azarenka in 2013. However, beyond the milestones and eternal glory, the champion’s story has an emotional component that goes deeper and speaks to a sentimental promise she made to her deceased father. .

Sergei Sabalenka He was a former ice hockey player and the father of current world number two. At 43 years old and having an excellent relationship with his daughter, the tennis player’s father died in 2019, leaving the 12th place in the WTA rankings with immeasurable grief. .

“It was unexpected because I was young, 43 years old. “I didn’t want to say it but I think people should know.” Sabalenka said in the interview that they led after being the winner of the clash in the final instance. Amid the pain and sadness, the Minsk-born athlete remembered the promise she made to her father before leaving. “The goal was to reach number one and win a few Grand Slams by the age of 25. he recalled.

With that in mind, no one could take the end goal from his mind. The 25-year-old has had a tortuous journey but has quickly become a regular on the circuit and a true winner. Both Australian Open won consecutively, 13 WTA singles titles in their showcases and the best women’s record of the season are a sign that this promise has been more than kept. .

For this reason, after the point that won her the title of champion of the first Major of the year, Aryna sent a kiss to the sky to Sergey Sabalenka and remembered all the moments they shared together. “Everything I do is for you” thanked his family during his awards ceremony.

Another of the emotional moments that occurred in the exceptional participation of the now double champion from Melbourne was the cabal that she revealed with her physical trainer. Jason Stacy, in which he signs an autograph on his bald head.

In the post-match interview, the tennis player said that it was a ritual they had been doing since the first round and it brought them luck. “We just like doing weird things!” » he said laughing. “We recently started this. I did it before the first game and after we won I said to Jason, “Well, I guess it’s routine now.” He is not happy with the routine but he understands it” concluded the Belarusian.

With a spectacular performance in all phases of the competition, Sabalenka said goodbye with the trophy and without dropping a single set in all her matches . A stage that undoubtedly has sporting significance, but which is even more moving if we take into account that it is dedicated to his late father.