"I feel like I'm just living my dream life" | Aryna Sabalenka Press Conference Miami Final

Amina, congratulations, fifth ever woman to win the Sunshine Double. Just talk about what that achievement means for you, and then just these two weeks as a whole for you. Yeah, it means a lot. My goal has always been to put my name in the history, and I just did it, and it just sounds so unreal, and I don't know how I was able to achieve that, but I'm super proud right now, and of course super happy with this beautiful trophy. Well done. Thank you. Through that match, how did you feel? Because watching you, there were a couple of crises, like losing that second set, losing serve, etc., but what came across is how composed you were from the first point to the very last point. How did you feel actually playing that match? Yeah, I felt really great. I felt that the level was incredible, and the second set wasn't ideal at the end, but I knew that she's going to try her very best to fight in this match to try to get this win, so a couple of things didn't work really well in the last game in the second set, but I was just trying to keep a positive mindset going to the third set, and I'm super happy how well I handled my emotions and how well I stayed focused from the very beginning until the very end. I'm hearing the congrats. Sorry. I saw on tennis channel that you said that after the Australian Open, you had a lot of talks with your team about being more composed and trying not to get too stressed in those moments. I'm curious, could you talk a bit more about that, please? Like what solution you found this time? Well, it's a deep one, and it's going to sound super easy, but my mentality basically right now going to this final is like there is no way I lose it, like trying to bring this tough mentality that I'll be there fighting for every point. There is no way I'll let anything get to me, and I'll be staying focused. I'll be fighting for every moment, every point. I'll be trying to find solution if needed, or I'll be just like... I'll keep constantly reminding myself how strong I am and that I got it, and that's been working really well, and it's so easy but so tough at some point, you know, like when you get emotional and then you forget everything, and in the last couple of finals, I've been just really strong inside and really positive mentally, and also we did really great preparation. I worked so hard, so whenever I felt like doubting my ability, I was like bringing myself back and reminding myself like no, no, no, no, you're strong enough to get this. Arina, congrats. Yeah, thank you. On that line, I wanted to ask how do you manage with the crowd? Coco had a great support, but also the lady yelling, all of that. Yeah, it was a bit of frustration over there, but yeah, I apologize, but at the same time, she was also wrong, but probably I should have controlled myself a little bit better, but actually when I screamed that, I felt so relieved and so loose, and even if she would keep yelling, I wouldn't hear her, but you know, I really felt that people were super respectful to me, and they were cheering for great tennis. Of course, they were supporting Coco. I knew what's going to happen in this match, but I've got a huge Brazilian community cheering for me, so I felt a lot of support, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere and people cheering for their player. That was incredible, and to see the full stadium, it was also something incredible, and I really enjoyed time out there today. Really well done. Very impressive. How do you keep the motivation up? I mean, I know winning is fun, and it makes you hungry for more, but you keep going deep, and you're winning a lot. I mean, at some point, does it get tiring, or does it get, okay, I've got to wake up tomorrow morning, and now tennis is relentless. There's another tournament in two weeks, probably. What are you doing in order to keep yourself motivated so that every time you do show up, you really show up? I hate losing. I hate that feeling when you lose the match. I cannot sleep. I dream tennis. I hate myself for making several mistakes that caused me a match, so I hate that feeling, and just because of that, whenever I go out there, I just really try my best, and I try to do everything that is possible and possible to get the win, and motivation, guys. I'm not even close to the legends. What do you mean? What's my motivation? I'm just trying to go as far as possible in this sport and to inspire the next generation and to be a good example for the next generation and show this balance, you know, like off and on the court life and just to help people to be healthy in this really tough and challenging environment. Hey, Alina. Hey. Let's do a recap of this month. You got proposed. You got a dog. You got the Sunshine Double, and to finish, I have to say a bunch of Brazilians have messaged me saying, tell her we love her. So, we love you. Thank you. I love you too. Yeah, what a month. Like, really tough to keep up with this month in my life. Dog engagement, Sunshine Double. Like, yeah, that sounds surreal, right? Yeah, and once again, thank you so much for Brazilian support. It's been incredible to see, to see, like to feel this support, and it's something that I've been dreaming a lot in my life to go in these big stadiums and to feel support and feel this atmosphere. So, right now, I just feel like I'm living my dream life. Yeah. Congratulations. Thank you. Obviously, Coco has become quite the rival for you, six and six, I believe, going into this. If you could name one standout quality for her in those matches and her journey against you, what would it be? If I could call out... One standout quality from her in those matches that you guys have had against each other, what would that be from Coco, and what makes her such a tough out for you, tough rival for you? I didn't get the question. One good quality that she brings on court, you mean? Oh, my God. Like, her movement is something else. Like, going into the matches against her, I know that there is always going to be an extra ball, and it's all about stay focused and be ready for an extra ball to come back, and the movement is something else, you know? And I wish I could move, I mean, even like 70% from what she has would be enough for me. But, yeah, she's an incredible player and a fighter, and it's always challenging playing her, and I'm really enjoying this rivalry lately, and I hope she'll stay consistent and hopefully we'll meet in many more finals. You mentioned you hate losing, and congrats again, what you are doing is legendary, but what stands out to you just winning this tournament again back-to-back? Because that's something that isn't an easy feat. Yeah, that's for sure, but I think what's been really working well for me in the past is not really focusing on the past and just staying in the moment, and going into this tournament I didn't really think about defending title or something, I was just trying to take it one step at a time, and I think staying in the moment, that's been key for me to be that consistent.