"I hope she doesn't go into that post Grand Slam funk" - Connors warns Sabalenka
WTA
Former world No. 1 Jimmy Connors has high hopes for Sabalenka after she won her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and wants the Belarusian to keep working hard to have further success.
Sabalenka gained some momentum before the Australian Open in her opening tournament of 2023 by beating teenage star Linda Fruhvirtova in the Adelaide International 1 final. She did not win any tournaments during 2022.
The 24-year-old stormed to a first Grand Slam final without dropping a set at the Australian Open. All parts of Sabalenka's game flowed perfectly, and none of her opponents had a chance in any of the contests leading up to the final.
However, Sabalenka had to win an epic match against Rybakina to secure the trophy in Melbourne. She recovered from a set down and produced incredible shot-making to overcome last year's Wimbledon champion.
Connors is impressed with Sabalenka's achievements in Melbourne but hopes she will not try to live off her success for years. The 24-year-old has the talent to win many more Grand Slams.
"I'm very happy for her [Aryna Sabalenka] and I hope she doesn't go into, you know, to that post Grand Slam funk. I hope she doesn't think that she can live off of that for five years. I hope she says 'I'm on a roll. Now I'm going to stay on it and I want to play the kind of tennis necessary to keep putting me up there with a chance to win."
"It's okay to party and enjoy it and all that, but you know what happens next week when you have to go up against and try to win another tournament, right? I hope she doesn't do that because if not then her confidence should be soaring right now."
Observing how Sabalenka adjusts to being a Grand Slam champion and if there is any drop in her level will be interesting.
