Aryna Sabalenka: “If You Heard My Self-Talk, You’d Think Something’s Wrong With Me”

There have been heartbreaking losses for. Aryna Sabalenka this year. But all of. the emotions she felt, that she was. composed, richly deserved win. Aryna. Sabalenka gets her Grand Slam title and. another US Open trophy. The number one health and wellness. podcast. Jay Shetty. Jay Shetty. The one. the only Jay Shetty.

Aryna Sabalenka, congratulations. I am so excited to have you here. I've. been looking forward to this for such a. long time. I got to be at the game on. Saturday. You were absolutely. incredible. I can't believe we have you. here 48 hours after you just won this. incredible trophy, the US Open women's. final was unbelievable. Congrats and. thank you for doing this. >> Thank you for having me. I think I'm. more excited than you are. I've been. watching your podcast and following you.

for. I don't know for how long. So, I'm. probably more excited than you. That. that that feels really good to me, the. fact that you watch it. It means the. world to me, but honestly I've I've been. really excited watching you live. There. was nothing like it. The attitude, the. personality, the amazing sportsmanship, like just incredible play. It was. fantastic to watch, truly. Yeah, it was. it was a great match and I really really. happy that you enjoyed watching it and. yeah, you had fun. How does it feel when.

you're winning Grand Slam after Grand. Slam? This is the second time you've won. the US Open in a row. Does it feel. different from the first time? Does it. feel the same? Like what goes through. your mind and heart? Like every time you. win the Grand Slam, every time is an. incredible feeling and every time is. just. you feel like it's the biggest thing. that happened to you and I feel like. it's all depends on the situation in. life and stuff because this isn't a. struggle a lot. So, I feel like this. time it feels like like it happened for. the first time, you know, like it's like.

it's my first Grand Slam. So, it's it's. a big moment and I feel like really. tough after getting this this beauty. Actually, thank you for bringing it. here. This is amazing. >> Of course. What do you mean? This is the. first trophy ever on On Purpose. So, this is a a special one for me. >> be the first one. What what were you What were you. struggling with this year? Like when you. say like I was struggling this year, that's why it feels like a relief. What. were you struggling with? Like What were. you going through? >> Yeah, I mean, I played early in the. season I played two Grand Slam finals in.

Australia and um in Paris. And I lost. those two finals and I. like they consider me favorite. So, I. kind of like, you know, I thought that I felt like, okay, it's. coming my way. I was so excited, but. then I would lose in the final and I was. sort of like really sad and like it was. really tough to go through those tough. lessons, tough losses and. and getting this this trophy means a. lot. That means that I learned the. lesson, I became a better player, I have. better control over my emotions and I'm.

super happy that I was able to win this. trophy. Obviously, you've just won and. we'll talk about that. I want to know. what do you do when you lose? Because. losing is so much harder, it hurts, so. much more painful, it hurts so deeply. Like What do you do? Do you analyze the. game? Do you. feel angry? Like what what are the. emotions that you go through when you've. lost a game, lost a final? >> A final, you know, I think it's all. about like losing in the final it hurts. more because, you know, you're getting. so close to your dream. and then it's like it feels like it's.

sort of like. slips away, if I can say like that. So, you you're really depressed and me. personally, I want to leave the place as. soon as possible just so I like forget. it. But then I need like some time to. sit back, to analyze, to like, you know, to to actually learn the lesson. So, um. it takes some time to process. the losses. How long before you can. watch the game back when you've lost? I have to be honest, I I never watched.

my like. >> Wow. finals that I lost. I let my team. do that and bring me on the plate, okay, you like you did this, this, and this. wrong. I know like mentally, emotionally. what I did wrong and where I made the. mistake in like the way I approached the. the final or what was my mindset. I know. this part, but like the tennis part, I. let my team figure it and they bring it, they tell me, I remember because I don't. want to watch it. I don't want to see. myself there losing and of course like. the finals that I lost earlier this.

season, I was like. not behaving my best and I hate seeing. myself being not not the kindest person. So, I never watch my. Yeah, that's really interesting. I I. also imagine when you're watching. yourself back, it can kind of make you. repeat that behavior sometimes as well. Like it's like if you Yeah. >> watch something closely enough, you almost like you keep pushing the. wound. It's like you keep pressing on. that scar if that makes sense. >> Yes, yes. Exactly.

You just want to learn it, you know, like make sure that it's never going to. happen again and forget it like like a. nightmare because yeah, I feel like. watching it back. and something that you wanted to forget. badly. So, I feel like for me for for my. mental health is better not to watch it. Yeah. Who's the first person after you. win or lose that you want to talk to, that you want to hug, that you want to. call? Like who's is the first I run to. my team straight away. I run to my team. because I know the the work they they.

they put it in. for this win. So, I run there and I I hug my boyfriend. first of course, then my team and. because I know how much of. of a work they've done to. uh to make sure that I'm able to compete. on such high level. And then and then I. messaged my family. Nice. Yeah, let me. talk to me about We were just talking. about this offline. You were just saying, you know, this. morning you're on the Today show. You're. like. >> you I'm sure you have a million. interviews to do today. It's been 48.

hours since you've won. But like people forget that these. tournaments are played in like these. really tight time frames. Like this was. 2 weeks, right? US Open. >> Yeah, 2 weeks. >> It's really intense. You're playing all. these games, multiple sets, really. challenging. Like the pressure's all. compressed into this short timeline. Like talk to us about the preparation as. a team, as an individual, for the. intensity of the 2 weeks that the games. are being played in. Well, yeah. I mean, we also have. tournaments.

that leads to the to the Grand Slam. And. then you have. like a week before the Grand Slam where. you come. to the place where you're going to. compete. and you practice, train, but also you. have a lot of um. like friends dinners, like meetings, some interviews as well. So, people. doesn't know that before the Grand Slam. there is like a week um, really busy. week, full of. uh. uh, meetings, dinners, um, and and this.

this kind of stuff, which is also not. easy to handle. And and also your. training during that period. And then. the tournament starts and then there is. another pressure which you deal with. But the preparation it's all about, you. know, of course, physically there is. like tennis, there's gym, there's. fitness, all of this stuff, but also. mentally you're preparing yourself for. like really tough 2 weeks, 2 weeks of a. great tennis, hopefully, because you. never know. But also 2 weeks of fighting, like.

fighting for your dream. And like. mentally you have this constant. conversation in your head. Like you're going to do that. You're. capable of it. You're strong enough. So, you're like really if I feel like if. someone would hear like my conversation. in my head throughout like this 3-weeks. period, they would think that okay, there's this. is something like something wrong with. this person because it's constant. conversation. Talk to us about that. self-talk because. I think we forget that right now we're. all so obsessed with the conversation.

online. Like we're looking at what. Twitter's saying, X is saying, we're. looking at what you know, social media. and then you forget Yeah. that the real. conversation is happening inside the. champion's head. >> Exactly. Yeah. >> Walk us through what that conversation. looks like. Like what are the ups and. downs? What are the shifts in that inner. dialogue? >> Well, I mean, I think it's absolutely. normal to feel nervous before big. tournaments and I think that every. athlete feel nervous. Every athlete. doubt uh doubting his.

um I don't know, ability. Will he be. able to do that again or like how it's. going to go? Because you never know, like uh sport is such a beautiful thing. that you go out there. and you don't know how you're going to. feel. Will the will the game works? Like. will will you feel great or bad or what. what you you'll have to deal with. because, you know, people look from the. outside and they doesn't know, for. example, I don't feel my serve. Like I. don't like I feel uncomfortable doing. something on court and I have to like. deal with that. So, before the. tournament, I prepare myself that I'm.

ready to handle anything. Like I'm just. talking that it's normal. I'm just. trying to kind of like settle those. those like thoughts in my head. Not by. trying to like. make them go away because I feel like. the moment when you try to make things. go away, they actually like growing more. and it it's it's like more and it's uh. not easy to handle. So, I'm just trying. to tell myself it's okay to feel that. It's okay to think that. It's absolutely. okay. Everyone thinks that. It's all. about you going out there and fighting.

no matter what and like constantly. having this conversation in your head. throughout 2 weeks, it's tough. Yeah. >> tough, but but I kind of like love it. >> Yeah. Yeah, you've you've learned to enjoy it. >> No, I'm just so grateful to have. opportunity to experience of that of all. of that. Not everyone. have this opportunity in life. So, I'm. just so grateful and I big opportunities. is also like big. uh big responsibility, big pressure.

But not everyone have that opportunity. So, you got to be grateful for that. >> Yeah, that's beautiful. I You reminded. me of that famous quote that says what. you resist persists. Yeah. >> That idea that if you're trying to get. rid of a thought or trying to get rid of. a feeling, it just expands. Exactly. >> And it takes up more space. And as soon. as you accept it, >> Yeah. you're fine. When you reject it, it just gets bigger, it gets harder, but. when you. >> that's not the key. Absolutely. When. when you accept that, of course I'm of. course it's natural to feel nervous. Of.

course Yeah. >> everyone's feeling uncomfortable, everyone's feeling stressed out. All of. a sudden it kind of calms you. Yeah. Whereas when you think that oh, I'm the. only one, everyone else looks so calm. and confident, but I'm stressed out. That's why we all get. >> I think that was my like. my main mistake when I was just like. starting playing tennis. I I thought that I'm the only one who. feel that. And I would like focus too. much on that. So, I would forget about. like my opponent and I would uh struggle. a lot at the beginning of my career. But.

then the moment when I realized like and. I. that everyone experience that and I. start seeing that on in my opponent and. I was like, okay, then it's normal. Then. we both in the same situation. We both. dealing with the same things and it's. all about who's going to do that better. Yeah. So, it's actually like a trick I. feel like uh like mind trick. Like just. accept it. Mhm. Yeah. What what's the. what's the hardest thing about being a. champion? About being number one? For. you? I don't know. I don't know what's hard I. mean.

I think there is nothing. like when you call someone like. champion, when you hear the champion is. like how can I actually complain about. anything? Like if you're like if you won. like a trophy, like there is nothing to. complain about. Yeah. Yeah, I loved when. you came out after you've won and you. had the champagne bottle. You had the I. was like I was like that sponsor must be. really happy Arena like. I was like that was like the best. reaction ever. I should have came with. the with the tequila because I sponsor.

by tequila. >> Not with champagne but but you know, you. got to celebrate it. You got to enjoy it. because. you know, the hard work is done. Now. it's time to, you know, celebrate it. >> Yeah, yeah. I was thinking I was. thinking about the moment. I don't know. if you remember that. tournament where Ronaldo hit the. Coca-Cola and he put the water up. Did. you ever see that interview? No. So this. is a press conference a few years ago. and it was Cristiano Ronaldo, football. player, and they'd put Coca-Cola in. front of him and he put it away and he.

said drink water, don't drink Coca-Cola. and Coca-Cola stock price went down that. day. Like it was crazy. So I was like. you just took Moët champagnes like stock. price must have like Probably. We need to check it out. >> Yeah, the ski goggles, too. I was like. it was amazing. It was so funny. I. didn't know that I'm going to look that. funny. I look great. I just came. straight from the locker room where they. sprayed like I don't know how much of a. bottle of of champagne on me. It was It. was It was a fun moment. Yeah, I think. celebrate Do you know what? I I was so. happy to hear you say I want to.

celebrate I want to have fun because I. think we forget and sometimes you need. to see. the number one person in the world say I. need to celebrate because I think this. applies to everyone. Wherever you are at. your stage in life, we don't celebrate any milestones. Yes. >> And then when you don't see the people. at the top celebrate, you kind of think. oh well what what permission do I have. to celebrate? So I feel like you gave. everyone permission to say, you know. what? It's okay. Well You have to. Exactly, you have to celebrate. Absolutely. Especially when you In my.

case, like losing the finals, losing. some. some tough matches, dealing dealing with some struggles, you. know, when you finally able to win. something big for you, I think it's. important to celebrate that moment. because you never know when this moment. going to. going to happen again. So, you you you. have to celebrate. It doesn't matter in. which industry in life you are. Uh. whatever achievement you achieve, like. you have to go and and and just have a. little moment for yourself. Yeah. Do you. Do you take a moment to yourself as well.

to celebrate on your own? Like what does. that look like? What does that personal. celebration look like? I usually. celebrate with my team, with the people. around me because, you know, it's not. like it was done only by me, you know? I. I've done it with the help of people. So, I feel like it's it's not only my. trophy, it's our trophy. But my. celebration is like one again in my. head. I just tell myself, "Okay, I'm. proud. I'm proud to to be able to handle. uh. have this trophy." Yeah. I think it's. important to have that inner.

celebration as well. Yeah. Because I. love that you just said that. I sit down. and go, "I'm proud to have this trophy.". Yeah. Like I feel like we're constantly. looking for validation outside. And when. you win something like this, of course, the whole world that loves tennis and. loves you is validating you, which is a. beautiful feeling. Of course. But I love. that you said that you actually sit. there and say, "I'm proud of this trophy. for myself" because I feel like that. inner validation is something no one can. take away from you and something that. stays with you long after. Yeah, because. like only.

I know like uh what I had to go through, how tough it was, and uh how it all. started, and you know, like this is. important to, you know, appreciate it. Yeah, it's beautiful. This has happened. hap- happening for a reason. I need to. change something, you know? And and I think you have to go through. these tough challenges to see to see why. why happened to you. It's only about. sport and everything in life. Confidence. it's it's it's uh it's a process, you. know, you building this confidence like.

step-by-step like by waking up the like. the early morning by showing up uh. somewhere you didn't want to, you know, like and like slowly building your. confidence. It's all about like these. little little steps. I think love is. something that you cannot really. explain, right? You just you just feel. complete with the person, right? You. just feel comfortable. You you're not doubting anything. You're. having fun. You love everything about.

the person, good and because everyone. have good and bad parts, right? So, you. love everything. And I think that's something that gives. you that feeling that I don't know that. like that warm in your heart. You want. your master's degree. You know you can. earn it, but life gets busy. The packed. schedule, the late nights, and then. there's the unexpected. American Public. University was built for all of it. With. monthly starts and no set login times,

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this. And I know we've been messaging. for a while on Instagram, too. And so, I was thinking about it. I was like, I. actually don't think a lot of people. know your journey and know your story. that deeply. I think people know a. little bit here and there, but on on. purpose, that's what we like to do. We. love to know how people found their. purpose, became yeah, became who they. were and so I wanted to ask you like. what is a childhood memory that you have. or a memory that you can recall that you. feel defines who you are today that has. impacted the person that you are today?

You know, I have so many great memories. but I remember watching my dad being. really like funny guy, the guy who would. just you know. make everyone feel happy and smile and I. would I remember I would just look at. him and think oh my god I want to become. this kind of person being like. just like a positive person like the. person who brings like positive vibes. everywhere she goes. So I think that's why I'm like quite I. have this quite funny personality.

Is that where that playfulness comes. from? Uh yeah. Watching your dad? Yeah, yeah. And another story but but this story. it's not like I remember that but it I. think it's perfectly shows my. personality. When I was a kid and. someone came to me because I was. grunting while hitting the ball and. someone came to me calling me Sharapova. and I looked at the person saying like. no I'm future Sabalenka you know. I was a kid. I was like what nine or or. 10 and saying that I was just like when. when my my mom told me the story I kind.

of like was proud of myself. I love it and and to me it's all your. even when I was watching you on Saturday. to me it's all your micro expressions. Like you just have this face that can. just like make so many different angles. and faces and I'm like just watching you. just I was telling you about a moment. earlier as well like Amanda played an. amazing shot the other day and and and. you just like turned around and you're. like clapping it on the side and I was. like It was a great shot. >> a great shot. It was amazing. It's just.

it's all these micro things but you're. saying your dad inspired all of this. like that. >> Yeah, my personality yeah I think 100%. comes from my dad. Yeah and he was also. the one who introduced you to tennis is. that right? yeah. me through that. How. did he discover tennis? How did he. introduce it to you? It's actually by. not like accident, but he was just like. trying to find some activity for me. because I was very active kid, and he. wanted me to be busy and to do stuff. And he was trying to find a sport for. me, and he was just like passing by the. tennis court. He was like, "Well, why.

not just try it?" So, I tried it, and I. loved it, and that's how it started. >> That's crazy. Was Was he good at tennis? No, no, no. He used to play ice hockey, but then he had a bike crash. So, uh he. was afraid to come back in sport. >> Oh, wow. So, yeah. It was a quite a bad. injury that he had. >> a very bad injury. He barely survived. when he was 18 or 19. So, and since then, he didn't want to. come back to sport because he was afraid. that it was it will affect his health. Did he do anything to help you feel. confident about tennis? So, what was.

that relationship like? Because I heard. in another interview, you said. you said it was quite funny that you. didn't actually think you got good at. tennis until you were like 16, 17 years. old. Yeah. And so, that's a long time if. you started playing tennis quite early, and you only felt really good at 16, 17. What was happening between that age when. you started playing and No, but I was I. was pretty good. I was winning these. local tournaments all the time. I was. pretty good, and my dad would always. just say, "Just as long as you just go. out there and you fight and you give.

your your best, you're good." He didn't. care like if I win or lose. So, so he. was like a really great supporter. Uh but I realized at 16, 17 that I can. be maybe good like internationally, you. know, like going going for those uh back. then it was like 10,000 event like a. women's sport, you know, like WTA. It. started like Actually, I think it was. like ITF or something like because I. started from like 10,000, 25, 50, 100. So, like slowly made my way to WTA. tennis. So, yeah. Back then, I I thought like.

maybe maybe I can go can be good when. you compare yourself to like other. athletes. So, so that's why probably yeah. Who did you. grow up watching? Who are the people. that you admired? Cuz you already said. you were like, "Now I'm going to be. future Sabalenka." But You know, it's so. funny because I think back then it. wasn't that much of a social media, so I. didn't have like. like an iPhone, you know, to go to. Instagram and and and watch other. athletes. And I was just like I was training the. whole I was going to school, I was. training, and then I was just like.

having fun with my friends outside. So I. I was never like watching TV or or any. internet much, so I didn't really look. up to someone, you know? Like of course. I I've seen like Serena dominating like. there and there, so then I I was like. thinking like, "I wish I could become. like like her one day, you know?". So, but no, I wasn't like really look. looking up to someone, and like this. question question makes me feel really. terrible as a person. Like I feel like.

everyone have their like idol, someone. they look up to, and I I never have. someone. But I think the answer is just. like because. we didn't have that social media. We. didn't have like something that you just. grab and you look and okay, and you see. this this life. No, I I mean I I didn't. I didn't want to make you feel bad by. asking you. I was just saying. >> didn't make me bad. I'm just I'm just. saying I don't No, and I I almost think. there's something beautiful about it. because I think. sometimes sometimes watching people can. inspire us, but sometimes not having. that can actually help you find.

yourself. Yeah. Like not having access. Even I mean, when I was growing up, I'm. I'm 10 years older than you, but when I. was growing up, I was reading books. about people because I couldn't follow. them on social media either. So I read. David Beckham's autobiography when I was. like 16, 17 years old, and then I read. Steve Jobs's biography much later. And. so I was reading about people that I was. fascinated by at a young age, but I. didn't get to watch clips of them or or. whatever else it may be. And I think. there's something beautiful about that. because then you get to define who you. are, and sometimes you can get caught.

comparing yourself to people. I think. social media has made it so hard for. young athletes or young anyone. >> Yeah, yeah. >> You're looking at everyone going, "Oh, I. wish I was more like that. I wish I. looked like that. I wish I had that. game." You know, and so. >> It's kind of nice to not have that. actually sometimes because you're free. of. >> It's It's It's a good and a bad thing at. the same time, right? Like you you see. more stuff, you learn more, but at the. same time you can compare yourself to. people and and then feel bad about. yourself for some reason. So, it's like. It can bring like really strong.

insecureness in you. So, I don't know. I. think it's important to find something. that you love, you truly love. Not like. because you see like social media post. and you think, "Oh, I want to I want to. live that life." But do you really? You. know, you have to find some something. that you love. And I think if you do. what you love and you passion and you. dedicate your life to that and you do. everything you can to become successful. in any area, I think that's that's the the way to go, you know. Well said, yeah, absolutely. I. feel like it's so because winning the.

trophy. is 1% of your life. The other 99% is what we don't see. We're just seeing the 2 weeks of the. tournaments or whatever it may be. >> the whole life, you know. >> up. It's the Walk me through your. morning routine. Like what does your. routine look like? How do you set. yourself up? During the tournament? >> a game day and a non-game day. Well, the. game day depends on the match once. again, but I like to sleep in. I need to have a good recovery. Uh but then I take it easy if it's like. evening match. I take it easy. I do like.

some. uh mobility in the gym like to wake me. up. I mean, of course, breakfast before, lunch. Then I go on site. I do my. warm-up again. I do tennis hit. And and then there's a match game. And. when it's a not match day, then it's. like even uh longer sleep, later wake up, and um easy start, little. bit of a hit, and then it's a treatment, recovery process, and then it's a. dinner. I love to go out for dinners.

Nice. Did I read somewhere that you. meditate as well or have tried before? Do you practice any sort of meditation. or work with a sports psychologist as. well? >> I work with a sports psychologist for. 4 or 5 years. Wow. We did some sort of. meditation. Uh. Uh we did Yeah, we did a lot of uh. things at the beginning of my career. Uh but then, you know what I found that. I was relying on her so much. She was a. woman. I I was relying on her so much. So, I I I was expect expecting her to.

fix my problems, like my emotions. So, and I and I was like repeating the. same mistake over and over again, and I. was like getting upset about that. So, at some point I decided, "Okay, I. have to take responsibility. over my actions." And I stopped working. with psychologist, and that was the. moment when I started like. learning about myself, when I actually. um understood myself better, and I start.

I I start to control my emotions much. better, and I felt like more balanced. when I like took that responsibility. Yeah. >> So, it was I think for me personally was. it was a great move, but you never know. like maybe one day I'm going to come. back to. uh get back to. um. psychology, meditation, and on all of. that stuff. I think that's the right. process though with anything. I feel. like it's learn Learn, yeah. >> and then you have to go lead yourself. And it's learn and then lead yourself. And I think the challenge is if you.

constantly remain a student, then you're. always dependent. And I think anything. we become dependent on controls us, and. then we're subject to how good we feel. that day. But when you learn something. and then you go and try it, and you. practice and you play it, then you get. to see whether you actually internalized. it. And so, I think that is a good. process. I feel like for anyone who's. practicing any sort of coaching, therapy, psychology, it's great to be. able to learn and then go test all the. stuff in the real world and and then see. where it goes back rather than keep it.

there forever because then you almost. someone's holding your hand the whole. time and then you keep holding tighter. and tighter and tighter. >> it's good to like, you know, go back and. forth like work with psychologist but. then go out there and and try to figure. it by by your by yourself and then. the moment you feel like you need to. talk to someone and you need to. find some Yeah, some some answers. So, yeah, it's it's it's always a learning. process, right? Like. as long as they're good for you, it's great. Yeah. How would the people.

that know you beyond tennis, personally, deeply, intimately? How would they. describe you? What would they say about. you? Oh, I don't like to talk about myself, but I feel like they would they would. say that I'm very kind, funny, of course, and very generous and I think I mean, yeah, I think that's that's how they. would describe me. I mean, that's what I. hope they're going to describe. That's. what I We have to check with them. >> Maybe they're going to just say, "Okay, you know what? She's She's crazy. Like. you better just stay away.". Who knows, but I That's That's my hopes.

Yeah. Yeah. Funny, kind, and generous is. a good is a good good three. I like. this. Well, this is just how I see myself, but. reality is different. We'll check. afterwards. I'll ask a few people. Ask a few people. How much does your life off the court, in your personal life, impact your life. on the court? Well, I think anyway. everything is, you know, kind of like. works together. So, um but I think it's. all about like balancing your.

off-the-court and on-the-court life cuz. I feel like on the court I'm like really. aggressive. I'm so focused. I'm like I'm. just chasing my dreams. So, I feel like people who doesn't know me, they can they can say that I'm super. crazy person and super aggressive on and. off the court, but it's not who I am. I. feel like off the court I'm I'm I'm more. fun and I love to have fun and you know, you have to balance. You have to like. put the hard work in, but also you have. to go and. and and enjoy and do things that brings. you brings you joy because then when you.

feel. feel balanced and feel like you're. enjoying your life, then you you're. you're able to go out there and to you. know, bring everything you have and to. fight and to to be focused. Yeah, I feel. I feel tennis has done so much. Hopefully to start leveling the playing. field with men and women. Have you ever. felt that divide personally while. playing? Like do you feel the pressure. that everyone in the media puts on the. sports of like you know, men and women. are not equal. There's this challenge.

Like have you felt that or do you feel. you that doesn't really cross your mind? How do you process that? I'm trying not to focus on that because. I just try to represent women's sport in. the best way possible and of course. we're all fighting for equal prize money. and everything, but also at the end of. the day it's all about who brings the. who brings the show. who brings people into the sport, but I. think like now the prize money is equal. Everything is uh. getting closer and closer between men.

and women. So I of course I love it and. that's what women. um athletes are fighting for. Thank you. Billie Jean King for all you know, fighting for us. I agree that we deserve to be paid the. same. Of course like the level is. different just because of the physical. abilities, but the the the work that we. put in is it's equal to the work that. they put in. Of course the level can be. different, but it just uh. it's life. That's that's men meant to be. a stronger than women.

So. Yeah, but it's interesting to hear. that you don't think about it because I. think that's cuz I guess you've just got. to focus on playing the game. Yeah, you. cannot you know, focus on many things. You just got to focus on yourself and. bring the best uh uh. best of you. And uh and of course. um try to fight for. having like equal prize money to be like. closer to what. men's are. um earning and and and that stuff. And I.

think like actually lately like women's. tennis. especially tennis, women's tennis. um. is. more fun to watch, like more people. coming, like attending, people speak. more about that. Maybe it's like fashion. related because it's such a fashionable. sport right now. Um but I feel like we are getting really. close to men. Yeah, yeah. I I think it's. been brilliant. I think the sport's done. a great job at trying to move in the. right direction for a long time. And. Billie Jean King, as you said, has been. such a reason for that. It's been. amazing. So, it's incredible. Talk to us.

about the fashion because you're I would. As soon as you put your like outfit on. that day and you put the silver jacket. on and like I was like Arena's like. going for it. Like, how much how much. fun do you get to have with all of that? I love it, you know, I love fashion. I. love. you know, I love experimenting with the. with the with my looks and stuff. And. for me it's important, you know, to look. good on court, to feel good about myself. So, I love. that. I think it's all about, you know, having fun with it and bringing fashion.

into tennis. I think it's also going to. help to explore our sport more. So, I'm. enjoying this. Yeah, yeah. You see it in. sports like I feel like basketball. especially in America like all the. basketball players are very fashionable. Like it it kind of creates it brings. sports and culture together quite a lot. How do you find your inspiration for. your looks? Like is it just something. you like the look of? Like how do you. kind of go about picking colors, silhouettes, everything else? Well, I. started to work with the Karla Welch, the um the stylist. She's the best and.

she teach me a lot about, you know, how. to mix stuff together, which colors it. better better for me. Uh so she teach me a lot and I follow a. lot of like fashion influencers just to. like see how they dressed up and. sometimes I find inspiration. I order a. lot of stuff and you know, I'm like I. cannot stop shopping. That's my That's. my weakness. >> Is it? Yes. Yeah, there was a clip that I saw. where it was like as soon as after the. game, the first thing that went on was. the AP. Went on straight after the game.

You know? Got to take care of the fashion stuff of. the game. Fashion part of the game. >> it. Will you Will you crush it again? You crush it again. When I. One of the things that I love talking to. about with successful people, champions. who have been through it is like. defining moments in their life. You know, I feel like defining moments. in every human's life are just. either propels you forward or it can, you know, slow you down or break you. down. And for you, I feel like one of. the biggest ones was losing your father. Like that is for anyone losing a parent.

is. such a huge part of their journey. For. you, it's it's critical to your journey. because it's the person who gave you. what you love. Walk us through that moment. in time. Well, I hope I'm not going to start. crying right now, but it was. it was unexpectable. It just happened. like this. Um and uh it was it was a tough moment. because. I was. so close to him. The reason is because we have similar.

personalities and we um understood each. other much better. He knew what to tell. me when I was like struggling on court, you know? Um I would just call him and he would. just. say couple things and I'll be like, "Oh, that makes sense.". So losing him was uh was a. was a tough moment. Um but. you know, instead of like really going. depressed, I just decided to take it as, you You like he's like here with me.

He's in my in my heart, in my memory. Um. he raised me I feel like the best way. possible. Thanks. Thanks to him for, you know, like I feel. like I'm the champion right now because. of. because of him. And. I know that he's here with me. He, you. know, he support me, he takes care of. me, he protects me. And yeah, I took it as as a motivation. to put the family name in the history. and thanks to him. Yeah, how did how did. you grieve at the time? Like what was.

useful to you because. I feel losing someone's always hard and. there's no perfect way to grieve, but. what what worked for you? What what did. you have to do in order to process that? Well, I had to stay really strong. because yeah, my mom was. it was tough for her to handle. She was. a young woman to lose her husband that. she loved, it was tough. So I had to stay really strong and not. really show my emotions, but I was. crying a lot back then. When no one's. saw me.

But the best way for me was to go on. court and practice and train. That was. the only time when I wouldn't think. You. know, like the beginning of the practice. till the end, I was just focusing on. like tennis, like hitting this like. balls repetition after repetition and. then the moment the practice would stop. I would like constantly thinking, like. remembering, like something from the. past. Start crying harder. Um. that was the best way for me to go. through it is like go out and and. practice and practice and practice.

Yeah, I feel like. Yeah, I feel like you just break down. straight after because it I mean, I'm. surprised you could even focus during. the practice. That's impressive because. There was Yeah, I don't know how. actually. I just figured that I went on. on court, start practicing, I realized. that okay, this is the moment when I'm. not thinking about that. And I was I was. training a lot. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You. were trying to like channel it all into. Yeah, like just let it like go, let it. go because. it's nothing you can do about, You know, I feel like in life there is like birth,

love, and that's something that you have. zero control on. So, I was like. it was his journey. I was grateful that. I was able to spend 21 years with with. him. And yeah, I know that he's he's. protecting me. Mhm. That's so beautiful. Thank you for sharing that. It's so. beautiful to hear about My my wife. recently lost her grandmother and I was. going to give her a call last night. >> Uh It's tough. My like my wife's I don't. even come close. My wife's favorite. person in the world is her grandmother.

And her grandmother was 91. She lived an. amazing life, but losing someone that. close to you that's raised you that you. have all these memories with, it's never. easy and you know, my wife was by her. bedside for 4 months every day before. she passed away like sleeping in. hospital and together with her and. just you know, it was it was beautiful. for me to watch just that love that they. shared. >> Yeah, that connection and that level of. love and that level of And I love what. you just said now about how birth, love,

and death are the only things that are. guaranteed and it's. How how do you. How do you think about love? Like what's. your views on love? I'm intrigued seeing as you brought up. those three important things. I think love is something that you. cannot really explain, right? You just. you just feel. complete with the person, right? You. just feel comfortable. You you're not doubting anything. You're. having fun. You love everything about. the person, good and because everyone.

have good and bad parts, right? So, you. love everything. And I think that's something that gives. you that feeling that I don't know, that. like that warm in your heart. Yeah, it's a feeling. >> you describe? You know, right? Like how would how can. Yeah. Love to me is when. someone. accepts you for who you are and you. accept them for who they are. >> changing your life. >> to change them. Exactly. >> like the biggest mistake is when.

you either want someone to never change. or you want someone to change today. Because chances are if you spend long. enough with someone they will change and. you will change. And if I want to change you, that means. I never really loved you in the first. place. And so It's very when I'm willing to. accept. Yeah, when I'm willing to accept. and be with you and sit with you and. understand you. I'm I'm trying to be. more curious than I am judgmental. Exactly. >> Because I'm trying to understand why you. are the way you are and I love that.

>> what made you this way and I totally. agree. Yeah, cuz it's cuz I feel like. it's it's so easy in any relationship. This isn't just romantic. I think it. applies to parents, family, sisters, siblings, brothers, everyone. It's like. you don't know why someone is the way. they are. You don't know what they been. through, right? What made them the way. they are. And when you understand. understand that about, like you said, family, friends, just people, right? Yeah. Makes you. yeah, just feel the person. Yeah. When.

did you start to feel successful and. feel like you were a champion? Did you. ever Do you feel that way or is there. I don't know. I never I never think. about that. I think for me success is. the the discipline that you put in. Mhm. I think this is success. Like being able. to. be there every morning, every practice. Doesn't matter how you feel, doesn't. matter if you want it or you you don't. want to be there, you know, that because.

there is days when you just don't want. to go and. work or practice and do your job, right? And if you're still there, this is. success. This is means that you you you. love what you do and you want to be. successful. That's It's definition of. success. I love that. That's such a. great answer. Success is actually. showing up even when you don't want to, when you don't feel like it. That's. really what it is. I think that's why. I'm able to, you know, hold these. trophies because I was there like no.

matter what since like a very young age. You know, I remember going to practice. not feeling well. But I don't know, someone was just. something was just driving me. Like I. was just going there. I loved it and. that's why I say that people have to. find something they love because when. you love something what's like what you. do. That's what pushes you like to go, to. do, to to do better every day like and. to improve to. That's important. I love what you're. saying and I'm I'm thinking about some.

of the things I think my audience. struggles with sometimes. Let's say you find Some people struggle. to find something they love. Do you think that's because we have the. wrong view of it? Like I think some. people think if you love something. you'll always like it. But what you're saying is you could love. something and there'll still be days. where you don't like it, which I think. is a really important point. Yeah. Does. that make sense? Like I feel like so. many people give up on things because. they feel like okay, I I don't want to. go there. It means that okay, I'm done. And I think.

this is actually the moment where you. can make the like break through, you. know, because. you yeah, like you said, you're. absolutely right. You can love something. but at the same time you can experience. those days when you just don't want to. do that and it's normal. It's normal. It. just it's it's a routine. So it's important to. if you love something at first and you. you felt happy. and it like all of the sudden you're. like okay, I'm I don't want to go there. It's It's doesn't mean that you have to.

change something. You know, you have to. change your job. You just have to go. through this period. It's It's like in. every relationship. It's not perfect all. the time. You have to, you know, go through something. Did you ever think. about giving up? Like was there ever a. time in your life where you were like, "I think this is it."? Yeah, there was a moment in my career. When was that? 3 years ago? When I was double faulting, I couldn't. like serve. I don't know what happened. with me. Like I couldn't serve. Just. something happened.

And it wouldn't work and I was I was. still playing. I was I actually ended up. here. uh in top 10 somehow without the serve. But it was like really I was really. close to just quit because I was like, "I don't know how to fix it." Like we. tried everything. Like psychology. Um. we tried everything. Like like like. going like through repetitions. Like. practicing. Like. different like everything. We tried. everything and we couldn't fix it and I. was like, "Okay, I'm about to quit.".

Uh but then we yeah, we hired a. biomechanic guy and he helped to. understand. some details and. and you know, like so that's what I'm. saying like. it was the moment for me to like, you. know, to stay strong, to go through it, to. nev- like never give up, you know, like. how we say. And I didn't quit. And after that, I was. able to win my first Grand Slam and that. moment was. crazy. Crazy crazy crazy emotional. I.

feel like that's always the case where. it's like you love something. Yeah. Something about it's not working. You're. struggling. You're not getting it right. >> Yeah. And that's the point where you're. required to be a bit more dedicated. Like it's like that's where the unlock. is, right? >> Yes, I feel like. uh. universe, God, well, you call however. you want it, send those challenges. because you can handle it and for a. reason. You know, like everything. happens for a reason. And that what. actually kept me in sport because I was.

like, "Okay, this is happen happening. for a reason. I need to change. something, you know?". And and I think you have to go through. these tough challenges to see to see why. why it happened to you. It's not only. about sport in everything in life, you. know? Yeah, and I feel like those are. the moments that give you confidence and. courage. Like when you overcome. something, which every And I think. people forget how much they've overcome. Yeah. Like I love that you just said. like. I've been just. showing up since I was a little kid.

Like you know, you've been showing up. for so many years and I think people. think confidence is how you show up. today or winning a trophy or it's like, "No, no, no, like think about it." And. everyone has showed up in their life. Like the people that are going to work, for their kids, for their partner. Like. people have been showing up and if. everyone could think of all the times in. their life. where they. had the courage, had the confidence to. show up even when they didn't want to, you're going to feel a lot more of that. today rather than waiting to win to feel. confident.

>> I think confidence it's it's it's it's a. process, you know, you building this. confidence like step-by-step, like by. waking up the like the early morning, by. showing up uh. somewhere you didn't want to, you know, like and like slowly building your. confidence. It's all about like these. little little steps. Yeah. Do you have. any unusual rituals or any like things. that you do before you go out on court. or. on a day? Like do you do you do you. bounce the ball a number of times? Do. you throw it a certain way? Is there.

like a little. little trick or a little thing that you. have personally that works for you? >> Uh. Well, I have the same breakfast Oh, you. do? all the tournament. That's my, you. know, What is your go-to breakfast? >> Oh, I love avocado toast with with two. fried eggs. from both sides. Over easy, has to be perfect. I gave so much trouble to some of the. places with these eggs. It has to be. perfect. >> to be perfect. I don't know. Maybe I'm. crazy. And the smoked salmon on the.

side. That's my go-to. >> That's your go-to breakfast. >> this breakfast. I always come back to. this one. >> Yeah, yeah, very specific. Yes. Yeah, it's good. Maybe this and then I think. about the bouncing the ball. I think. it's all about the habit. Uh maybe I actually pick the balls from. the ball kids. I always pick from like. if I win the point and I pick from like. like I don't doesn't matter which. corner. Like for example, from the. right. Right corner. How I show the right. I. mean left corner.

I will keep like picking up the balls. from from that kid. Got it. I don't know. why. Just like gives me. uh give me I don't know good feeling. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, we I I. feel like we all have these little. things that. >> But as long as it. as these things in your control, it's. good. When you like, you know, rely on. something that is not in your control, then it can become a problem. Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly. Yeah, I I've I. mean, I'll be honest any athlete I've. ever interviewed who has continued to be.

a high performer in their life for a. long time has a definite breakfast for. their game day. It's like a very common. trait. Like to have a a specific. breakfast. >> Well, you know, have that continuity. Because I love like for me the main meal. is breakfast. I like I like to sit. there, enjoy my breakfast, have like. have my cup of coffee and. um yeah, that's my ritual, you know. Yeah. Who do you I asked this to Novak. recently when he was on the show. I was. like, who do you.

consider your toughest opponent. mentally? How many did he say? He said himself. Himself? It's a good answer. It's a good. answer. I'll cut that out. You can say. it as well. Well, yeah, myself. Thanks, Novak. No, I I cannot pick one. You know why? Because everyone is tough, you know? Like it's tough like everyone brings. like different challenges, you know? And. it's tough to like say, "Okay, she's. like the toughest one for me." because.

then you underestimate the rest of the. group, which is not right. So, all of. them brings like different challenges, but I think. No, I thank you for that. You're the. biggest. Yeah, you're the you're biggest mental. competitor, yeah. >> Yes. Cuz you're the one pushing yourself. the hardest. Yeah, for sure. It's a good answer. What about your. toughest opponent physically? Coco, um. Iga. Yeah, these two like I think physically. um. brings the biggest challenge. In in what.

sense? They they move really great, so. sometimes you build a point and. probably with others like this shot. would be a winner, but with them. sometimes you have to like rebuild the. point and yeah, physically it's not. easy. Physically and mentally it's not. easy like to like, you know, stay stay. strong and be ready that the ball going. to come back. um. every time and you have to like. be really strong physically to handle. that that intensity. Yeah, how how does. it feel Do you have lots of I'm sure you.

have so many young tennis players both. men and women coming up to you feeling. inspired and. excited about your journey? Like how. does that feel? I think that's the goal. in life and I always wanted to be a good. example for next generation and when. kids run to me and say, "I love you. You're my inspiration.". that's you know, that's what what. actually matters in life. What do you. say to young athletes who are inspired. by you are moved by you? What what's. your advice to them? What's your words. of wisdom? Surround yourself with the.

right people. That's the main thing because with the. right people you can achieve anything. Mhm, that's good advice. Is it Did it take you time to find the. right people to surround yourself with? Like is that Is that hard? It's hard. It's really hard because there's so many. um let's say interesting people around, but yeah, it took me it took me it took. me time. Um I was really happy to have. my. my coach. with me for I don't know like how many.

years already, my fitness coach and a. tennis coach. So they've been there for. me and and then. find the right. um the right agent, the right I mean. yeah, it took it took time to build the. right people. Yeah, it does. I I feel. like that's true and again in business, in sports, in everything. Find your. >> You go through tough. Yeah, Yeah, you go through being. betrayed by someone and you know like. people come, people go and it's a. process, but I feel like the moment you. find your your your people, you better.

stick to that group because this is what. gives you. energy and power to keep going. Yeah, I. remember I had a I had a physical. therapist I was working with at time. But we ended up talking while I'd be. doing physical therapy, too. And it was really interesting. She said. to me once, this was years ago, this was. like maybe. 6 years ago now. And she said to me she said, "Yeah, it's. funny like it feels like the only people. that stress you out are the people you. pay.". And cuz she was saying when I talk, when.

I am venting, when I'm saying something, she was saying it was only the people in. your professional world. She was like, "It seems like your personal life is. great." Like my relationship with my. wife, my relationship with my family, my. sister, my my parents, but she was like, "Oh, it seems like whenever you're going. through something painful, it's always. to do something in your life that's part. of your business." And it really like. was like a moment for me because I was. like, "Oh, I've got a I've got to think. about this as much." Cuz I think when I. first at least for me when I first. started moving, I didn't know anyone in.

the entertainment industry. I didn't. know anyone in this world. And so I was. just trying to surround myself with. people who were smart, who knew what. they were doing, but they weren't. necessarily on the same energy and. vibrancy if that makes sense. Does that. make sense? Like you've had to find. people on the same frequency. >> Yeah, yeah, I I it's important to have. people with a good energy, the energy. that fits and and that you yeah, you. understand each other and that seems. like your people, you know? Yeah, that's. why you right now when we said what do. you want to get for food, you were like. no, my team knows me. You know, they.

know. Yeah, I I trust them. Like it was. That's That's That's what I mean. Yeah, and this year you launched Arena's. Arena, right? Yeah. Which I love, which. is giving people more access Yeah. to. know your team and the dynamics. Talk to. us about that. >> Yeah, I want to share myself. I want to. share my life. I want life. I want to. you know, show this little kids that. like we're all people. Like you know, you don't have to be perfect to be. successful, right? And I want to show. like what it takes to you know, to to be.

where I am and that that is like that is. real and you just got to work. Yeah. Yeah, it's it's it's great to give. people access to that cuz like you said. and the truth is tennis is such an. individual sport and I've. I've had the fortune of interviewing. people from so many different sports, but tennis and Formula 1. are like so dependent on the individual. in the sense that you're the one playing. the game. At the same time like you. said, there is a team and so it's. important to show that. Same in F1,

there is a team. >> Yeah. But there's just so much even when. you celebrated that day like when you. won I was like wait a minute. When. you're on the court, you have to. celebrate on your own. Like the moment. you win, whereas if you watch any other. sport, the team will come together. Players run to each other and it's. >> you can do that when you get into the. stands, but that moment you've got to. savor it. Like when you drop to your. knees and you know. >> Yeah, that was very very emotional. moment. I still you know, feel this. uh. because you know, yeah, you have a huge.

team. and the amount of work that those guys. put in, it's incredible and I I feel. like I'm kind of like responsible for. that because I know that they deserve to. be the best coaches, like the best. agent, the best physio, like the best. team, you know? So, I feel responsible when I'm out. there competing because doesn't matter. how much work they put in, you know, it's at the end it's like all depends on. me, you know, and they don't know like. if, you know, if I'll go out there and.

I'll play my best and if I'll win, you. know? So, when I'm there competing I'm not. only competing for myself, I compete for. my team. But I'm like there and I I'm responsible. for that, you know? Yeah. On my own. >> Yeah, you're carrying a lot. Yeah, yeah, exactly. So, it's it's tough and that's. why I feel like most of the athletes. like like they. not athletes, but tennis players and. Formula 1 they sort of like crying after. like winning something because, you. know, all that pressure, all that.

things in your head, they just slowly go. away and you feel okay, I did it, you. know? But Formula 1 is another level. Like uh I'm a fan. I don't I don't know. how. how they do that. It's like, you know, they put sort of like their life in risk. and it's so fast and so crazy and. for me this is intense. Yeah, I mean I. mean it's all intense. >> No, because, you know, we have breaks. like between the points, between the. games. Those guys they're there for I don't.

know how long, like hour and something, right? And they're there and like if. they just lose focus for a second, gone, you know? This is tough. It is scary. knowing that you could take your own. life and someone else's and it's got the. sport has got so much safer over time, so it's. >> Yeah, I know, it's safer now, but still, you know. >> yeah, yeah. Yeah, what are there any. sports that you watch that you love that. you follow? I love basketball, I love. ice hockey, but it's not like I really. have like one team Okay. one team that I.

support. I just love to watch, especially like with with the basketball. sitting on the court side, when I see. the way those guys move like with their. like height and everything, I'm like I. always like message my fitness coach and. like okay, we got to do something, you know? But I'm like. I'm just like frozen in the moment. because I just look how they move, you. know? Probably it's like a. professional defect or something, you. know, because I just watch that they're. like movement and it's it's crazy. It's.

crazy what those guys. >> Yeah, you're watching a different game. because you're looking at. >> Yeah, I look at different things. probably. Yeah, Formula 1 I'm just like. sitting there. and I'm like how they can be focused for. so long. without like losing their focus like. >> Those races. >> corner after corner like it's crazy. Yeah, and it's repetitive as well. It's. like. >> Yeah, you know, like and crazy. That's. what that's what what actually crazy. Yeah, yeah. No, and how how much time do. you give yourself to now celebrate? You're doing press today. I mean, like.

we said it's only 48 hours. How long. before you have to get back to training, back on the grind, back to the. discipline? Well, the schedule is is. tough, you know, but I think I'm going. to give myself a couple more days to. celebrate and then we're going to go. back. back to work. But like also slowly like. starting probably from the gym and then. yeah, we're going to build up because we. have uh. a couple more tournaments and and then. the finals. which is like top eight. players compete for the you know, for. the.

for another big trophy. So, we have a. couple more big tournaments coming up, but for now I'm going to take a couple. days to celebrate because you know, when. I was struggling. I was always. going back to those moments when I when. I was winning those Grand Slams. and I was like I I was thinking like I. wish I could just experience that again. and I I will celebrate like crazy. because you never know if this moment. going to come again, you know? Of course. you work, you hope, you do your best.

but at the end of the day, you're never. know, right? So, so earlier this season I I said to. myself, okay, if I will win it this. year, I'm going to I'm going to. celebrate and I'll truly enjoy it, you. know? So, the plan is for the next. couple of days Yeah. enjoy it. It's good. that it's good that you're honoring that. cuz sometimes you say that before and. then after you win it, you're like, oh, now I need to just get back to it. So, it's nice to hear. >> no. I'm like, I have this control. I'm. like I'm like that. I'm like, okay, I.

need to go back, but I'm like, no, no, no, no, we got to we got to enjoy. >> got to do it. We got to enjoy. Yeah, we. got to do it. No, I love that. I loved. what you posted on your Instagram. You. wrote, "To my team, I wouldn't be here. without you, but don't forget you. wouldn't be here without me.". It wouldn't be me without joking. >> Some little yeah. >> Some little, you know? Don't forget. Some little spice, some. little. >> that's who I am, you know? Yeah, yeah, yeah, no, I I I genuinely I genuinely. love that you're honoring your your time. and energy to celebrate. It's it's such. a great reminder. I feel like for years.

and years and years in my career I was. just going going going going going and. there was. to be more mindful, to be more present, to really take it in because. >> And also mentally to be healthy, right? It's important to balance this hard work. with a little joy. Yeah, you only come. back sharper. Exactly. >> Have you found that as well? Has that. been a big part of your recovery? Cuz I. recognize you talked about sleep. earlier. Like talk to me about the need. for rest and recovery and what you do to. really find stillness. I feel like. recovery is is the key, you know? And if. before I would blame myself even for.

going. for a dinner during the tournament. because I would think I would feel like, oh, it's it distract me and. I I wouldn't be able to be focused. tomorrow. No, it's wrong, you know? You. you have to. you have to go for dinner. You have to. do things that brings you joy. You have. to like sleep. You have to focus on your. recovery as well because this is part of. the process, you know? Like. to be able physically and mentally hand. handle this uh pressure and this.

intensity, you have to have a good recovery. So, it's also one of the main priorities for. us. Mhm. I love that. So, Irena, I know. you have this Battle of the Sexes game. coming up with Nick. Nick had been on. the show. Uh very excited about this repeat. I. don't think it's ever been done again. No, I think it is it's been done like. long, long time ago. >> Jean King. Yeah, like really long. What. was that? What was the year? The '70s, yeah. Great game. >> a It's been a while, right? There's a.

movie about the if if anyone hasn't seen. the actual game, there's a great movie. about it, too. And so, with Emma Stone, I think it's. >> We're bringing it back. Yeah, it's Yeah, you're bringing it back. What What. inspired this? Well, uh yeah, since we're fighting for equal. prize money, I believe uh. uh that's that's the reason, no? No, but mostly it's just I think it's. fun and it's cool to see and it's uh. um interesting for me to play against. the man and I'm ready to kick his uh am. I allowed to use this word? Kick his.

ass, right? I put I'm putting a lot of. pressure on him right now, so I hope. he's going to just withdraw from from. feeling all of the pressure. Yeah, you. can say whatever you want. Give us that. message to Nick. I'm going to send it to. Nick straight away after this message. Well, Nick, you got to be ready. You better be ready and uh. yeah, I'm going to I'm going to kick. your ass, man. I love it. I love it. I think the ATP. going to cancel the battle. Going to be like, well, okay, if it's. happening, let it be like Yannick or or.

or Carlos, but not not Nick. They're. turning this attorney into like a boxing. match, it feels like. It's like UFC. >> Yeah, I'll make sure that I'm I'll I'll. send him some drinks before the before. the battle, just so, you know. Oh, yeah, and you've got some little tricks up. your sleeve like that. >> Yeah, yeah, you know, I'm going to make. sure he's not ready. I love it. And talk. to me about this What change they're. going to have to help make it make so. >> So basically I'll be on the side with. like a smaller court. >> Got it. So he has a smaller area to. >> Yeah, to to hit and.

and he's he's going to be on the regular. size so. kind of like unfair already, right? I. don't know if it's unfair. And I think. we're going to have. one serve each. Um. That's it. >> That's very exciting. Where's it taking. place? We're still trying to figure it. >> Okay. All right. I want to come watch. Come come. >> So you're going to let me know, yeah. I'll come to. >> to you're going to sit on on my. >> for you. I'll cheer for you. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm going to message Nick now again. I'm. cheering for Arena. Yeah, I love it. I'm.

on your side. Yeah. Thank you. >> Arena, is there anything I haven't asked. you that you wish I did ask you? Anything you You know, I think you I. mean, you know what you do. You know. what you do. You you ask everything. I wished. of talking about. >> Yeah, I'm making sure cuz I I I like I I. don't take these opportunities for. granted. I feel so lucky that I get to. sit with you 48 after 48 hours after. winning. I feel so fortunate I get to. speak to. one of the best you know in the game.

>> number one in the world. I'm so happy to. be in your podcast and. it's been a dream of mine for so long. and finally we we did it. We did it. We. did it. I'm so grateful that I get to be. part of your dreams. I mean that. We end. every episode with a final five. So. these have to be answered in one word to. one sentence maximum. Okay. >> But I always I always go away from that. So don't worry about it. Arena Sabalenka, these are your final. five. The first question is what is the. best advice you've ever heard or. received?

Focus on yourself and don't listen to. people because most of the people want. you to fail. So focus on yourself and on. people close to you. Who said that to. you? My father. That's awesome. How old were you when he. first said that to you? He said it to me. when I was 17, I think. Okay. He was waiting probably for the moment. for me to be ready to. I don't know, to. uh. accept some sort of deep advice. actually. Yeah. How long before you feel.

you really took it to heart and really. understood it? Maybe when he passed away. You know, I. feel like when we're we're losing. um. a person that that that this is the. moment when we actually. realize how much we lost, you know? Like. and we appreciate every little small. detail and the the memories keep still. coming up in my head, you know? I'm. like, oh. You know? So, you have to. you have to.

appreciate if you still have your. family, just for people, you have to. appreciate it and you have to really. um. take care of your closest one. Mhm. Do. you keep any physical part of him on you. at any time when you're playing or in. your bag or anywhere or not really? That's it's more in your heart and your. mind. >> in my heart. It's more in my heart. Uh. when he passed away, I had um. audios from him. Mhm. But then I was crying like crazy when I. uh when I figured that they disappeared.

after like a year and I didn't like. record it, save it somehow. It was in. the in in the app just to like keep his. voice and because he wasn't the person. who would like take a lot of videos, you. know, like pictures and stuff. I don't. have that either either. So, I was really depressed that I don't. have his like voice, but he's in my in. my heart, in my memory. I think that's. the most important. It's beautiful. Uh. question number two, what is the worst. advice you've ever heard or received? You know, like bad things never stay in. my head, so Good answer. I I don't.

remember any like bad advice. It's good answer. >> Work with IMG maybe. Good answer. All right, very cool. Uh. question number three, I'm going to say, uh oh, what would you say are your three. most life-changing games that you've. ever played? Three most life-changing matches. And. they don't have to be finals or wins. Yeah, I think. Uh, the semi-final. against Madison Keys at the US Open.

two year two years ago. I think yeah, two years ago. >> Why that one? Because I was down set and I think 5-1. or something and I came back in the. match and I won that one and I made my. first final. So, I think that was the. moment when when I. realized a lot of things. How does it. feel to be 5-1 down? Oh, feels feels. terrible. It's a terrible feeling, but you're. still hoping that maybe. How do you keep hoping that moment? Because 5-1 is literally like Yeah, it's.

like okay, especially about against big server, you. know, you're like no chance. What are you What are you holding on to? You just trying, you know, like you I. was like reminding myself I mean, it's a. dream to be in the semis. So, there is no way you're going to give. up even like doesn't matter how things. going on like how badly it is, you have. to like still trying and maybe maybe. there's going to be a moment when you. figured something and you find your. game, your rhythm and you'll get the win.

and I did it and it was kind of like a. life-changing. moment then. Oh, what else? Winning the first slam, of course, gave me. huge huge uh. belief, you know, that okay, I'm capable. of it and my life wasn't waste of time, you know. And the third one Your life was. definitely not a waste of time. No, but you know I No, I don't even mean. like your career just is. >> You know, like it's it would be really.

difficult for me to finish my career. without the slam. And the third one, I don't know. I don't know. There was one match. when I won there is a tournament in Doha. and I won the tournament but I think in. quarter finals I was also like down the. set and was struggling a lot was playing. really not my best tennis and I won that. match and then I won the tournament also. was kind of like a big moment for me.

I think these three. >> It's amazing that the two of the ones. you chose are when you're down. >> Yeah. and you come back. Like there's. something about. >> moment where you like gives you like. that power because next match you play. you think oh I mean come on I've been. down five one seriously you you think. that I'm going to give up like that just. because I like lose my serve or. whatever. So it just gives you that. power to fight. Yeah, it's a great. reminder to all of us that no matter. what. >> are the moments to look out for because.

they become your best or they become. your best glory. Stay there stay there. keep fighting and this is this is. probably the biggest moment. Yeah. Uh. question number three what do you think. people misunderstand about you that. you'd like to clarify? Well I think. because now I'm sharing myself more on. social media they have better. understanding about me but I think there. is still some people that they think. that the way I am on court this is like. reflection of me off court which is not. true because I think.

as I said earlier you know I'm I'm quite. aggressive because I'm on court because. I'm fighting for my dream there and. this is not the time where where you. have to be nice. Yeah. Because. off the court I'm much nicer like I'm. chill it's really tough to get into a. fight with me you know. So you have to do something terrible. Yeah. >> Probably my boyfriend will say different. but. I still think. so people misunderstand that that I'm.

different person. >> if people say like, "Oh, she's too. emotional or unstable or whatever it. is.". You're like, "That's just on the court. I have to be.". >> That's Yeah, that's on the court. That's. Arena on the court. Yeah, and that's not. Arena off court. >> Yeah. I get that. I mean, I this sounds ridiculous, but it's so. true. Like. it me and my friends just play amateur. everything. Like I don't play any sport. well, but we get so competitive just. playing around. I love watching like, you know, people.

Yeah. play play tennis for fun, but they. really. >> they like. I can't imagine but they're. not taking it as fun, you know? They go. full. >> Exactly, and you're like actually. playing a tournament. Like I'm like I. I'm pretty I'm pretty All my friends. know that when we're playing a sport, I'm extremely competitive and I'm not. like that in real life or in person. I'm. you know, and that's And I'm not even. playing the final of you know, and so. yeah, there's There has to be a bit of. grace. I feel like there has to be a bit of. grace for athletes. I'm like you're. You realize this. >> Yeah, like a little bit like, you know, like stop yourself and like look at.

everything as a bigger picture, you. know? Like, "Okay." Yeah, definitely. Uh num- question number four before the. fifth, which way do I want to go here? One day, long time from now, we hope. you're going to win so many more Grand. Slams. I'm I'm putting out loads of good. energy. What would you When you look back on. your career, what would you like for. yourself to feel about it? What would. you like to say about your own career? I. would love to look back and say I've. done everything I could. And.

I want my career to be. remembered. Like And then then I want to. see young kids. being inspired by me, and I want to look. back and know that I actually inspired a. lot and and. Yeah, I want to be in the history. Mhm. I love that. I love that. You already. are. You already are. Sort of. Not even close to the greatest, but. we're trying. Yeah, I I well, the. trying's the trying is the most. important part. It's wonderful to hear. you say that. It's It's really special.

if you remind kids to try. I think that. would help a lot of kids. Yeah. >> Cuz not you know, not every kid will. become number one, but every kid can try. and chase their dream. That would be a. good world to live in. So, Just give. your best and that's that's all you you. can do. Yeah. Uh fifth and final. question Aryna, we ask this to every. guest who's ever been on the show. The. question is if you could create one law. that everyone in the world had to. follow, what would it be? I want everything.

to be decided in a conversation. Um. no wars and stuff. Just like sit down, speak, and figure it all of the. problems. Mhm. That's a great law. Save a lot. >> That's all we need in in the world right. now. Save a lot of uh lives. >> Yeah, save a lot of lives, yeah. If we. were able to solve things by Just by. talking, sitting, and figuring then not. leaving the room. uh before you figured something. Yeah, that's a great answer. We've never.

had that before. Aryna Sabalenka, congratulations again. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. >> this. And looking forward to you coming. on many years. Usually when people come. on once, they come on a few times. So, I. look forward to doing this with you many. many times. >> Let's make it as as our transition. Yes, I I'd love that. I'd love that. Congrats. and thank you for bringing the first. ever trophy on the show. Yeah. You. deserve it and uh you're you're a true. champion and a a true leader. So, thank. you so much. >> much for having me. >> Thank you. If you love this podcast, you'll love my episode with Lewis.

Hamilton. Lewis and I talk about why you. should stop chasing society's definition. of success and how to be more. intentional with your goals. You don't. want to miss it. Like it's not about. being perfect, it's about just every day. one step at a time trying to be better, trying to do more. I'm learning a lot. about myself. I have to break myself. down in order to be able to be better.