Aryna Sabalenka stumped by question after making | Sports News

Aryna Sabalenka secured her spot in a third Indian Wells semi-final and was then questioned by Tim Henman when discussing her outstanding tiebreak file. The world No. 1 superior by means of a difficult match in opposition to teenage sensation Victoria Mboko, securing a 7-6(0) 6-4 win.

Sabalenka was unable to capitalize on her 4 break-point alternatives within the first set, however dominated within the tiebreak. The four-time Major champion has established herself as a reliable drive when the scoreboard reaches 6-6, and she or he joked that one tennis icon was her “good luck charm” in that second, asking them to attend her subsequent match.

However, Sabalenka had no clue what her tiebreak statistics truly had been when questioned by Tim Henman. The high seed at Indian Wells joined the Sky Sports workforce — Henman, Martina Navratilova, and Gigi Salmon — on the Stadium 1 court docket for a post-match interview, the place focus rapidly shifted to the commanding 7-0 tiebreak. It got here as a tennis dangerous boy spoke out on a controversial Indian Wells rule.

Sabalenka revealed that Navratilova impressed her after she noticed the 18-time Grand Slam champion sitting courtside and offering reside evaluation during the match. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’m just trying to stay aggressive, trying to stick to my game plan and play point by point without thinking about the tiebreak. And, also, to be honest, I saw you before the tiebreak and I knew it was a good luck sign! So lucky me, I got that one 7-0, can you please be more often on my matches?” Sabalenka requested the retired icon.

Henman then posed a question of his own to the world No 1. “Since the beginning of 2025, do you know your tiebreak record in all tournaments?” he requested. Sabalenka wasn’t sure, however stated she knew it was “pretty high.”

The British player-turned-pundit went on: “I’ll tell you, you’ve played 28 and you’ve won 25, you’ve lost three. Do you know who the three you’ve lost to are?” But Sabalenka remained unsure. “No, I don’t know, I don’t remember. My memory is terrible, which is good for sport, bad for life. But I guess that’s why I’m so consistent, I have a really bad memory,” she laughed.

Navratilova then revealed that, during her own profession, she typically felt “embarrassed” when taken to a tiebreak. “Because I felt like I should have won the set already by now, but this is exactly what you want for your opponent, because your record is so good,” she defined.

Sabalenka preferred her idea, and is absolutely conscious that her repute for elevating her efficiency in tiebreaks creates challenges for her opponents. The 27-year-old responded: “Yeah, at the same time, I had so many opportunities to break, so many of them, and couldn’t convert them, so I felt a little bit like that, like I could have closed it a little bit earlier and probably be in the locker room now.

“But it’s how it’s, and I do know most likely, most definitely, they really feel further strain enjoying tiebreak in opposition to me, so it is form of like an benefit to my facet. Not that I’m specializing in that, however I see small errors that’s actually essential within the tiebreak.”

Sabalenka continues to pursue her first title in the California desert, having been runner-up in 2023 and 2025. And Navratilova could prove instrumental in achieving that goal. “It’s going to imply the world [if I win], it should be the proof that in the event you by no means give up, you’ll obtain your targets, and that is the mentality I’m making an attempt to carry on the court docket. Always preventing, at all times making an attempt, no matter what the previous holds, and making an attempt to come back back and be higher,” the world No. 1 said.

After Sabalenka departed, Sky Sports presenter Salmon jokingly suggested that Navratilova had “a job” for the semi-finals. “You need to be in her eyeline, I feel that is the factor, she must see you,” she told Navratilova.

“I’m a good luck appeal? I’m comfortable to be that for her as a result of she’s a great participant and a enjoyable particular person and a good position model for all the youngsters growing up. I’m comfortable to be a good luck appeal,” the Czech-American former participant smiled.