Once again, Aryna Sabalenka is back in the winner’s circle after some heartbreaking near misses in 2025.
They say form is temporary and class is permanent.
The above is never truer than when discussing Sabalenka and it was only ever a matter of time before she claimed another title.
Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula in a very entertaining Miami Open final, coming through 7-5, 6-2 and flexing her undoubted quality in the process.
Interestingly, Sabalenka was cheered on by a host of Brazilian supporters on the show court last night and she’s delivered a verdict on those spectators.
Sabalenka gives opinion on Brazilian fans
The Brazilian contingent have been in Miami to see the new wonderkid Joao Fonseca, but many have been present every day of the tournament.
A number of South American fans piled into the stands to see Sabalenka in action on Saturday and she’s shared her admiration for that part of the world.
She said in her press conference: “Yeah, that was something special and amazing. I’m super happy to have my Brazilian fans on my side, because, like, whenever there is Brazilians in the house, you will hear their support.
“They are loud and they are crazy, in a good way, and I feel all the support, and it just helps me to keep going and keep fighting just to feel the atmosphere one more time.”
Controversial Fonseca decision marred Miami Open campaign
The scheduling hasn’t been the best at this event and the situation around Fonseca earlier in the tournament was farcical.
When Fonseca took on Ugo Humbert at the start of the tournament, the fans flocked to see the new kid on the block in action.
However, after heading to the Grandstand, the tournament committee decided to move the match to an outside court, leaving the Brazilians without a chance of seeing him in action.
This is a bit of an embarrassment for the Miami Open and with tennis growing in Brazil, it’s imperative that lessons are learned from this for the future.
Alex de Minaur calls for Rio Open to make the schedule
Sabalenka might have a new following of Brazilian supporters and De Minaur might get some backing too.
After one of his matches at the Miami Open, he penned the words, ‘Rio Open’ onto the camera, hinting that he wants a tournament over in the South American country.
De Minaur initially copped some flak but he cleared any bad blood up afterwards, suggesting he meant no harm with the words.
It remains to be seen whether the ATP will heed this advice and pencil a tournament in for Rio in future years.
Sabalenka will now eye French Open glory
It won’t be long before the second Grand Slam of the year and Sabelenka will be heading to Roland Garros looking for another good run.
The 26-year-old has never been further than the semi-final at the French Open and in her mind, that simply won’t do.
Clay perhaps isn’t the best surface for Sabalenka’s game but she will be keen to go one step further and at least make the final this year.
Now, it remains to be seen whether or not she will have any Brazilian followers when she takes part in future tournaments as 2025 progresses.
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