Aryna Sabalenka has taken to Instagram after winning Indian Wells for the first time.
Sabalenka had never won the Indian Wells title before, having lost her two previous finals at the tournament.
It looked as though it could be a third consecutive final defeat for Sabalenka, before she saved a match point against Elena Rybakina to win the title.
Rybakina continues to be Sabalenka’s biggest rival this year, and the world number one has now reflected on her win at Indian Wells on social media.
Aryna Sabalenka calls Indian Wells ‘the best week’ of her life
Not only has Sabalenka won the Indian Wells title for the first time, she has also had some big news in her personal life over the past fortnight.
This includes getting engaged to her now fiancé Georgios Frangulis, and getting a new puppy called Ash, who was seen on court with Sabalenka after she won the Indian Wells title.
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In her first post on Instagram since winning her 23rd WTA title, Sabalenka called it ‘the best week’ of her entire life.
She wrote, “The best week of my life!! A new puppy, getting engaged and my first @bnpparibasopen title! Thank you for all of the support.”
Sabalenka has also received many messages of support for her Indian Wells victory, including from 12-time Grand Slam singles champion Billie Jean King.
King wrote on her Instagram story, “Cheers to @arynasabalenka, the champion in the desert!”
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Sabalenka will not have long to celebrate her Indian Wells victory, as she now looks ahead to the Miami Open.
Last year, Sabalenka won the Miami Open title for the first time and she will look to make history this year.
Only four women have completed the sunshine double before, and Sabalenka will look to make it five in Miami this year.
After receiving a bye into the second round, Sabalenka will play either Ann Li or a qualifier in her opening match.
The first seeded player Sabalenka could play is Xinyu Wang, with Madison Keys and Qinwen Zheng also in her quarter of the draw.
Sabalenka could have a rematch of the Indian Wells final in the Miami Open semifinals against Rybakina, with the likes of Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff awaiting her in the championship match.
The main draw of the Miami Open gets underway on Tuesday, March 17, with seeded players competing from Thursday.
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