Quote of the Day: "Keep the traditions going!" Aryna Sabalenka signs trainer's head, again - Tennis Magazine

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Tuesday, May 28, 2024

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The two-time Australian Open champion's hilarious good luck ritual with Jason Stacy is back on at Roland Garros.

ByBaseline Staff

Published May 28, 2024

© 2024 Eurasia Sport Images

Aryna Sabalenka is equally well-known for her booming serve and powerful groundstrokes on the tennis court as she is for her bubbly personality and contagious laughter off of it. But the world No. 2 admitted on Tuesday that it’s taken her a bit of time to learn how to let her personality out, especially during the high-pressure moments at a Grand Slam like Roland Garros.

Among the WTA Tour’s top-ranked players, Sabalenka stands out as a fun-loving extrovert among a sea of quiet introverts—but speaking to press after a comfortable 6-1, 6-2 victory over Russian youngster Erika Andreeva, the older sister of teen phenom Mirra Andreeva, Sabalenka reflected on just how much her approach has changed over the years as a pro.

Read more: Aryna Sabalenka scores first-round win at 2024 Roland Garros, defeats Erika Andreeva

“I think it all comes with experience,” Sabalenka told press after the match. “First times when I was coming here, I was so tight. I was so intense because it's a Grand Slam.

“With the years, you realize this is just another tournament and you have to have fun.”

WATCH: Aryna Sabalenka defeats Erika Andreeva; Roland Garros first round | MATCH POINT

Now, Sabalenka is just as famous for her fun pre-tournament TikTok videos, where she pulls in various members of her coaching team to do a dance after practice, and for posting up a storm on social media with her fellow WTA players, including tour “soulmate” Paula Badosa. It’s all a part of Sabalenka and her team’s ongoing efforts to keep things light and reduce stress.

She also knows when to unplug, too, like when she recently dropped by Emilia-Romagna for the Formula 1 Imola Grand Prix for a quick break after Rome before locking in for the clay-court Grand Slam.

“You have to be positive, because it's enough tension on court. If you're gonna bring this tension off court, it's just too much,” Sabalenka admitted. “So for me, the better way (is) to loosen up and to keep it mentally good, it's just to have fun, of course.

“Honestly, this is just the way I am,” she added with a grin. “Good or bad, whatever, but this is who I am!”

"I did sign his head today. Let's see if it's working or not…" Sabalenka autographed fitness trainer Jason Stacy's dome during her run to the Australian Open title—will it bring her good luck again in Paris?

© Getty Images

Another thing that Sabalenka is all about is keeping up with traditions—especially when she’s the one that created them. During her title defense at the 2024 Australian Open, Sabalenka revealed that one of her good luck rituals involved signing the now iconic bold head of her fitness coach, Jason Stacy.

“We just like to do weird shit, guys!” Sabalenka joked in Melbourne. “We just started this. I did it before the first match, and after I won, I told Jason, ‘Well, I guess it’s a routine right now.’”

Whatever it was, it worked because Sabalenka ended the fortnight with her second Grand Slam title—and after confirming that the ritual has indeed followed the team to Paris, her next opponents may want to be careful.

Q. At the Australian Open you were signing Jason's head and that turned out very well. Are you doing anything similar here?

ARYNA SABALENKA: We just keep the traditions going, you know. Like I did sign his head today. Let's see if it's working or not…

Hopefully that's the key. But we're going to keep tradition! (Laughter.)

Through to the second round at Roland Garros, No. 2 seed Sabalenka will face Japanese qualifier Moyuka Uchijima next.

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