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Aryna Sabalenka celebrates her Indian Wells Masters victory over Elena Rybakina with Espresso Martinis and Five Guys.
Aryna Sabalenka celebrates behind the winner’s trophy after defeating Elena Rybakina to win the Indian Wells Masters (Picture credit: AP)
Four-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka has said that she would have two Espresso Martinis and some food at Five Guys after she beat Elena Rybakina in a three-set thriller in the final of the Indian Wells Masters on Sunday, March 15.
After falling to Rybakina in the 2023 Indian Wells final, Sabalenka seemed on the verge of history repeating itself when she dropped the first set 3-6. But she refused to back down, bouncing back to take the second set by the same score and then edging out a tense 7-6 (8-6) victory in the decider, bagging her 23rd career singles title.
Sabalenka spoke with reporters at a press conference, sharing details of how she plans to celebrate.
“Well, I guess a couple of espresso martinis, probably and Five Guys to go. Basically, that is why I am never in good shape, because it is Five Guys and espresso martinis in celebration,” Sabalenka said.
“And that is it, because the schedule is really tight and we are on to the next one and I cannot relax too much, because I am defending champion there and also, it is Miami,” Sabalenka added.
At the same press conference, she spoke about the physical toll she felt after her hard-fought victory over Rybakina in the Indian Wells Masters women’s singles final.
“This trophy is so heavy. To be honest, I was so done. I had cramps after the match. It was so hot. The heat was like it was boiling out there, I felt like I was just coming from the court, you know,” Sabalenka said.
Sabalenka broke her finals curse against Rybakina, snapping a four-match losing streak in title clashes that started at Indian Wells 2023 and included a tense showdown at the Australian Open in January.
Sabalenka enters the Miami Open as the defending champion, having beaten Jessica Pegula in last year’s final of the combined WTA 1000 and ATP Masters 1000 event.
March 16, 2026, 07:31 IST
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