Aryna Sabalenka explains why she refuses to give up ‘partying and drinking’ for tennis | Tennis | Sport

Aryna Sabalenka is by far and away the best player on the WTA Tour when you look at the rankings. The world No. 1 sits almost 3,000 points clear of second-ranked Elena Rybakina, and is only extending that gap. She recently completed the Sunshine Double – winning Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back – and will soon attempt to defend her Madrid Open crown.

But the four-time Grand Slam champion refuses to follow a strict diet year-round, and has shown she can still maintain balance while being a world No. 1 and Grand Slam champion. Sabalenka has made it no secret that she enjoys celebrating her big wins – and that she switches off after some tough losses.

The Belarusian marked her maiden Indian Wells title win with “espresso martinis and Five Guys” as she jetted straight to Miami for the second half of the Sunshine Double. That didn’t slow her down, and she successfully defended her crown in the Hard Rock Stadium.

And when she lost last year’s French Open final, Sabalenka planned to get over it with “tequila and gummy bears”. She rebounded and won the US Open later that season. So it comes as no surprise that the world No. 1 doesn’t want to stop partying and drinking altogether.

“When I’m in the preseason or during a tournament, I’m not drinking at all. But I have my moments, like when it’s a big win of course I party and drink,” Sabalenka told Esquire.

“It’s important to balance it. To cut everything out from your life is not healthy. At some point you can lose it and go crazy in different directions.”

The 24-time title winner is still disciplined when it matters, however, including during training blocks. “Preseason is quite boring and tough. It’s the same every day, and it’s hard work, and you’re super tired and you cannot have fun,” she added.

Sabalenka has also found balance with her schedule. The world No. 1 is one of several tennis players who have been outspoken about the demanding tennis calendar. “Well, the season is definitely insane, and that’s not good for all of us, as you see so many players getting injured,” she said at January’s Australian Open