Russian veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova sent a message to the tennis world after securing her fourth Australian Open quarter-final berth: “Too old but still here!” The playful note, scrawled on the camera lens as she left the court following her 7-6(0), 6-0 victory over Donna Vekic, was equal parts humor and truth, reflecting her surprising resurgence at the age of 33.
“Maybe ask the young players why I’m still here”
Pavlyuchenkova, the 27th seed, admitted she didn’t expect to advance so far in the tournament but took the opportunity to address the age question head-on.
“I’m just having fun this year with this signing and calling myself too old to be on tour, which kind of part of it is true,” she quipped in her post-match press conference. “The question is to the young girls because I’m still here and in the quarter-final. Maybe better to ask them why I’m still here and I’m still winning.”
A laid-back approach sparks motivation
After nearly two decades on tour, the 2006 Australian Open junior champion redefined her preparation strategy. Ahead of her 20th professional season, Pavlyuchenkova adopted a more relaxed approach to her training.
“Honestly, I hate pre-seasons. I told my team I’d take it day by day, one practice at a time,” she revealed. “My goal was to keep the motivation and hunger for this Australian Open and for the season in general. Well, I think I managed to do that.”
Her new approach has paid off. Wins over Yuan Yue, Anastasia Potapova, and Laura Siegemund set up her fourth-round clash with Vekic. The Croatian, unfortunately, struggled with a knee injury late in the match, which Pavlyuchenkova acknowledged with a mix of satisfaction and sympathy.
“I’m always pleased about winning, but I have mixed feelings because she seemed to be injured in the end,” she said. “That’s not really the way you want to go into the quarter-final.”
Facing the ultimate challenge: Aryna Sabalenka
Pavlyuchenkova’s reward for her impressive run is a daunting matchup against World No. 1 and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. Although the Russian holds a 2-1 record against Sabalenka, she remains realistic about the challenge.
“It was a while ago, and she’s obviously a different player now,” Pavlyuchenkova admitted. “Hopefully, I can bring some great tennis and try to compete against her power. I have zero pressure this tournament whatsoever.”
A veteran defying expectations
As she prepares to face Sabalenka, Pavlyuchenkova’s lighthearted attitude and veteran presence continue to win her fans and defy expectations. Whether or not she can overcome the top seed, her run at the Australian Open is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and a love for the game that has endured for two decades.
