Aryna Sabalenka is the new Indian Wells champion, having beaten Elena Rybakina in the final just last night.
For some, it was the match of the year so far, decided by a dramatic third-set tiebreak. It marks the latest thrilling iteration of this sparkling rivalry, which has swiftly become the best on the WTA Tour by some distance.
Despite the quality on display, and both players being deserved champions regardless of the result, Aryna Sabalenka seemed to think she was fortunate to be the one holding the trophy.
She explained why in her post-match press conference.
Aryna Sabalenka analyses her Indian Wells final win over Elena Rybakina
The Belarusian began by highlighting her frustration with the excruciating game at 5-5 in the third set, where Elena Rybakina` saved countless break points to hold.
Sabalenka admitted: “Well, on that 5-All game, I was really upset each time I would miss her second serve. I felt like I had a lot of opportunities in that game, which I didn’t use. I didn’t feel my best, for sure, after that game.
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“But what I’m happy with is that in the next one I was able to pull out great serves to get that game and get into the tiebreak.”
Then asked about her incredible match point save in the tiebreak, she expanded on her perceived fortune: “Well, probably I have seen that match point at the Australian Open that she had, I don’t know how many times it was in my face. I remember, like, okay, I was standing there thinking, okay, I’ve got to cover a wide serve, and I left T serve for her to ace it or whatever.
“So lucky me, she served again wide serve, and I just covered that side. And doesn’t matter how fast the serve is, I know that I can block it and I can return. So I got super lucky in that point.
“And, yeah, I pulled out really great two shots, and I feel like that was the moment that gave me so much, I don’t know, so much mental power.
“Yeah, I got lucky. I got lucky in some points and unlucky then, so I guess it’s all balanced (smiling).”
This came after Sabalenka said she was unhappy with one area of her game, despite winning the match.
Aryna Sabalenka’s prize money and ranking points from Indian Wells title
Sabalenka’s run to the Indian Wells title was fraught with challenges, facing some of the sport’s most in-form players and brushing them all aside.
As such, she was good value for the $1,151,380 prize money she won for claiming the title.
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She will also receive the customary 1000 ranking points, although this will only equate to a net 350-point increase, given that the 650 she got for reaching the final in 2025 were deducted as the tournament began.
Ironically, this has seen Rybakina shorten the gap between her and Sabalenka in the world rankings, although the gulf is still huge.
