Aryna Sabalenka wins Australian Open 2024

• Aryna Sabalenka won the Australian Open 2024
• Sabalenka successfully defended her 2023 title
• She is now a Melbourne favourite

Aryna Sabalenka wins Australian Open 2024 is the biggest news in tennis circles hitherto after defeating Zheng Qinwen.

Sabalenka successfully defended her 2023 title and she is turning to be a Melbourne favourite following her two-time success in a row.

She rose against odds to win the first Grand Slam of the year further cementing her status as a top WTA player in 2024.

Aryna Sabalenka Wins Australian Open 2024

Sabalenka retained her title after a two-set victory 6-3, 6-2 over Qinwen who played in her first Grand Slam final. She did not drop a single set in this victory over the Chinese player in the Saturday final at Rod Laver Arena.

The world No. 2 quickly unleashed an offensive against Qinwen and drained her with each set se played.

Aryna Sabalenka wins the Australian 2024 tournament. Photo/Sky Sports

Sabalenka, arrived in Melbourne determined to silence doubters who questioned her consistency despite her Grand Slam pedigree. But any anxieties were quickly quelled as she unleashed her trademark thunderous serves and punishing groundstrokes, leaving Zheng, ranked 12th, scrambling on the baseline.

The first set was a masterclass in aggressive tennis. Sabalenka’s booming serve, clocked at a tournament-high 201 km/h, proved virtually unreadable for Zheng.

The Belarusian converted three of her five break points while facing none herself, dictating the rallies with unwavering authority.

Zheng, despite her 21 years, showcased glimpses of the talent that has propelled her to the cusp of the top 10. Her powerful forehand and athleticism kept her in contention, but unforced errors, particularly on crucial points, ultimately proved her undoing.

The second set mirrored the first, with Sabalenka maintaining her relentless pressure. A double break early on put the Belarusian firmly in control.

Qinwen visibly frustrated, struggled to find her rhythm. Sabalenka closed out the match with a clinical forehand winner, raising her arms in triumph as the Rod Laver Arena erupted in cheers.

While all she wanted was to win, it all seemed like a far-fetched dream for her.

“It’s been an amazing couple of weeks and I couldn’t imagine lifting the trophy another time,” she said after the match.

How Did Aryna Sabalenka Win Australian Open?

She attributes her success to her sessions with her sports psychologist and coach who helped her serve better.

Initially, all her serves were poor and made her grapple with double faults for a long time despite winning the 2023 Australian Open.

She became the most reliable women’s player at the Grand Slams and had her first spell as the world No.1 as a result of her growth over the remaining 2023 season.

Sabalenka proceeded to make it to the US Open, Wimbledon, and French Open semi-finals. But moments of doubt derailed her hopes of winning more majors.

The 25-year-old said that there is no major success in tennis without losses.

“There are not going to be big wins without really tough losses. You have to trust the process and believe that next time you’ll do better,” Sabalenka said.

It is from her 2022 losses that she drew the biggest inspiration that has seen her successfully defend her 2023 victory in Melbourne.

How Does Zheng Qiwen Feel Losing Australian Open Title?

Zheng Qinwen at the Australian Open. Photo/Indian Today

The 21-year-old Chinese player has no regrets about failing to win the Australian Open 2024. She is glad that it was her first Grand Slam final since her entry to the WTA Tour two years ago.

Qinwen has never made it past the quarterfinal stage of any major slam since 2022. Ten years ago, China was ecstatic when rising Chinese star Li Na won the 2014 Australian Open.

The 2024 Australian Open 2024 finalist was only 11 years old and watched the full match on TV.

If Zheng had celebrated the significant milestone with a personal victory, it would have ignited jubilant festivities both in Melbourne and her native country.

The bulk of the 15,000 spectators, who were cheering for a player known as “Queen Wen” and waving Five-Star Red Flags and homemade banners, supported Zheng in this heavily Chinese-populated city.

She could not, however, deliver the triumph they so desperately wanted.