Aryna Sabalenka admitted she didn’t really feel her best throughout her time in Indian Wells this year and also noted that it probably wasn’t caused by the fact that she hadn’t gotten much action since the Australian Open.
On Wednesday, No. 2 seed Sabalenka’s Indian Wells run came to an end in the round-of-16 after world No. 22 Emma Navarro upset the two-time Grand Slam champion 6-3 3-6 6-2.
But even before losing to Navarro, Sabalenka came really close to being bounced in Indian Wells early as world No. 64 Peyton Stearns missed out on four match points during their second-round match. After completing a 6-7 (2) 6-2 7-6 (6) win over Stearns and avoiding a shock loss, the 25-year-old Belarusian described it as “one of the most craziest matches” of her career.
After surviving a thriller Indian Wells opener against Stearns, Sabalenka also went through some ups and downs during the Emma Raducanu match but still escaped with a 6-3 7-5 win.
“I would say that this year Indian Wells I didn’t feel my best on these courts. I tried to adjust. We tried to work on couple of things, make sure I’m there and I’m fighting for this title,” Sabalenka said.
“I mean, I would say that we did our best and we’ll learn. We’ll work a little bit more on the movement, and hopefully I’ll be ready for Miami.”
Sabalenka doesn’t think not playing much caused her not to feel well in IW
Following her successful Australian Open title defense, Sabalenka decided to withdraw from Doha and return to action in Dubai, where she suffered a shock loss to Donna Vekic in her opening match. For Sabalenka, that was her lone match played between the Australian Open and Indian Wells.
But the world No. 2 doesn’t really agree that’s to blame for what happened to her in Indian Wells.
“I mean, I wouldn’t say that that’s the case, that I didn’t play a lot of matches after the Australian Open. I think I’ve got enough experience to still bring my best tennis, even though I didn’t play many matches,” Sabalenka explained.
Now, Sabalenka’s focus turns to Miami, which starts on March 19th. After back-to-back early losses in Dubai and Indian Wells, Sabalenka is hoping to bounce back in Miami, a tournament she “loves.”
When Miami starts next week, the 25-year-old will be making her sixth appearance at the tournament. In the past, Sabalenka had three second-round exits at the tournament while she made the Miami quarterfinal in 2021 and 2023.
“I love this tournament and I would say I feel at home because I stay at home there. Such a nice tournament. Didn’t have a chance to play really well there,” Sabalenka said.
“Hopefully this is the year to show my best and to bring my best tennis and to do well there.”
