'I believe short memory is the key': Aryna Sabalenka’s cold-blooded formula for WTA domination

Aryna Sabalenka spoke about the consistency she has found in the last year, which has her as world No. 1 with more than 3,000 points separating her from her closest pursuer, Iga Swiatek. Recently, the Belarusian surpassed 11,000 points in the Ranking, becoming only the third player to achieve this after Serena Williams and Swiatek.

The world No. 1 arrived in Rome as a huge favorite, winning 19 of her last 21 matches, with titles in the last two WTA 1000 events at the Miami Open and the Madrid Open last week. "So far this season has been super nice to me," Sabalenka said after the title in Madrid. "Every time I'm coming to a tournament, I'm not thinking about the previous one. I'm like, 'OK, whatever, we leave it there'."

Sabalenka's incredible consistency

In the last 52 weeks, she has played 80 matches with a 67-13 record. She currently holds the US Open title, four WTA 1000 titles, and a WTA 500 title in Brisbane at the start of the year. Added to this are three other final appearances and two semifinals. The title in Madrid only confirms that Sabalenka is a more than deserving No. 1 and one of the most consistent players in history. "I'm happy, we celebrate, but then I leave it there behind and I start everything over again," she said.

"That's been working really well, and I'm not staying too long in success, and also I'm not staying in some of the tough losses. Like short memory, I believe that's the key," she added.

Among the last 9 Grand Slams – since the 2022 US Open – Sabalenka reached five finals and won three titles: Australian Open (2023-2024) and US Open (2024). Additionally, Sabalenka reached four other semifinals, and her 'worst performance' was the quarterfinals of Roland Garros 2024.