Sabalenka: AO Champion 2023

A beautiful Melbourne night, a picturesque Rod Laver Arena akin to a colosseum draped in blue,  a sporting audience packed to the rafters and two amazing female gladiators locked in an enthralling battle for supremacy. It was like Rome re-lived, the contest  was fierce, no one giving an inch, but sadly a draw was not possible, there had to be a winner and so it happened.

Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarusian was pitted against Elena Rybakina, the Russia born Kazakh, the reigning Wimbledon Champion, for the coveted Australian Open Tennis Championship  in Melbourne. Both women in some breathtaking form had arrived with huge confidence when they took to the court on Saturday evening. Rybakina had beaten a string of top players including the World No. 1 on her way into the Finals, while Sabalenka was ruthlessly dominating, playing some extraordinary tennis. A close contest was on the cards and eventually what transpired on the court was a treat to watch.

Rybakina drew first blood by winning the First Set 6-4. She was more consistent with her play while Sabalenka was struggling a bit with her rhythm. In the first game of the second set too, Rybakina had a few breakpoints and had a great chance to forge ahead, but she could not take advantage, with some light play at important points. Sabalenka survived the early scare in the Second set and  then the game just turned on its head. Sabalenka began to find her range with some  powerful and breathtaking strokes, putting great pressure on Rybakina. The belligerence from Sabalenka just put off Rybakina and by the time she could really fathom what was happening, Sabalenka had brought the match on equal terms with a 6-3 win of the Second set.

The third set was a real humdinger, with both players exchanging blows and trying to pulverise the other, but Sabalenka still looked in great rhythm,  constantly pushing Rybakina with her explosive stroke play. Literally Sabalenk’s powerful ground strokes were getting difficult to handle though Rybakina hung on gamely. She too gave it back with her fierce serve and equally damaging ground strokes. The resistance of Rybakina eventually gave in when she lost her serve in the 7 th game of the final set. Sabalenka moved ahead and though Rybakina  gave it everything to comeback   even holding  a breakpoint when Sabalenka was serving for the match. However Sabakenka was not letting this go having come so near and produced a few thunderous serves and matching strokeplay to get past Rybakina 6-4 in the final set. Sabalenka the winner.

Rybakina : She gave it all / pic courtesy The Astana Times

Looking back at the game, the quality of Tennis was of the highest order and I have to admit that I have not seen such power and finesse both in equal measure in a women’s tennis match. They truly fought like gladiators, no different from men. The power and speed  on the strokes were  even more than some of the top players in the Men’s draw. Absolutely unbelievable. The serving too was top notch, with speeds upto 195 kmph, easily comparable to Men’s tennis. I was literally amazed to see the strength and stamina displayed by Sabalenka and Rybakina. This goes to show, how much the game has evolved and that how hard the  players train. The power tennis in the Women’s game was brought to the fore by the Williams sisters, but what I saw on Saturday, the power game has taken a few more strides and is almost there with Men’s Tennis. No wonder and rightly so, the Prize Money at this tear’s Australian Open has been equal for both the Men’s and the Women’s competition.

Sabalenka : Tears of Joy / pic courtesy The New York Times

So eventually, Sabalenka  won her first Grand Slam competition. She fell on the floor with her hands on her head with a stream of tears flowing down. All the hardwork had eventually borne fruit. Sabalenka was a deserving winner. Rybakina played some great tennis too and left the court with her head held high.

What a match. What a spectacle...All the monies worth.

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Featured Image : Aryna Sabalenka / pic courtesy Sky Sports