Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked tennis player, kicked off her Miami Open journey with a commanding victory over 64th-ranked player Viktoriya Tomova. The swift 6-3 6-0 win took less than an hour and added another win to Sabalenka’s 2-0 head-to-head record against Tomova, a narrative that began with their first encounter at the Futures event in Budapest in 2016.
However, a casual post-match question threw Sabalenka off balance. The interviewer reminded her that her last match against Tomova was almost a decade ago, a fact that left Sabalenka feeling her age. The 26-year-old Belarusian, set to turn 27 in May, humorously queried if the media was intentionally trying to make her feel old.
This is not the first time that Sabalenka’s age has been a topic of conversation. During the Indian Wells tournament, she found herself in a similar situation. She was set to play a final against 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva and was asked if facing a teenager added extra pressure to win. The nine-year age difference between her and the Russian teen sensation left Sabalenka feeling melancholic.
Expressing her feelings, Sabalenka said, “I still feel like I’m 18. It’s just so awkward for me to think that I’m 26 and 27 this year, and she’s 17 and is, like, just two years older than my sister… I’m depressed right now. Why do you ask that question? I’m almost 30.”
On a more serious note, Sabalenka has been contemplating retirement. Upon her arrival in Melbourne for this year’s Australian Open, the three-time Slam winner admitted feeling close to retirement. She mentioned that many players hang up their rackets at 30, an age she’s fast approaching. Sabalenka also expressed her desire to start a family before she turns 35.
As Sabalenka moves further into the Miami Open, she is set to face Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the third round, a Romanian player who is a year older than her. Despite the age-related anxiety, Sabalenka’s performance on the court remains as youthful and vibrant as ever.