sport news Australian Open champ Aryna Sabalenka pinpoints the crucial decision that ... trends now
Aryna Sabalenka has recalled her 'it's not you, it's me' moment as she fought to save the relationship that ultimately made her career - and made a splash as she posed with her one-of-a-kind trophy on the shores of the Yarra River after taking out the Australian Open.
Sabalenka jubilantly declared her stirring final triumph over Elena Rybakina the best day of her life, having returned from the depths of despair to finally claim her maiden grand slam singles crown on Saturday night.
On Sunday she celebrated in fine style, unleashing a spray of champagne in a stunning pink dress after disembarking from a gondola on the famous Melbourne waterway.
It was only 10 months ago, while grappling with self doubts and gripped by her infamous serving yips, that the Belarusian's trusted coach Anton Dubrov tried to walk away.
But Sabalenka insisted: 'No, it's not you. We just have to work through these tough moments and we'll come back stronger.'
'It was after Dubai happened. He just said like, "I don't know what to do. I think you need to find someone else who's going to help you".
Sabalenka cut a striking figure as she posed with her women's singles trophy on the banks of Melbourne's Yarra River on Sunday
The Belarusian's trophy differed from that of every Australian Open champion before her because her home country is missing from the spot next to her name
'But I knew that it's not about him. It's just something about me. I just have to figure out the problem. We have to get through it.'
And get through it they did.
After coughing up some 56 double faults and crashing out in the fourth round of last year's Australian Open, a desperate Sabalenka turned to a psychologist and biomechanic - and the stunning transformation is now complete.
Tennis's most unfulfilled talent is a major winner at last.
'I'm really
