WTA/ATP: Sabalenka and Sinner shine in the desert

Third time’s a charm for Sabalenka

How about this for a fortnight? Getting a puppy (called Ash), getting engaged and then winning the prestigious WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells.

“The best week of my life!!” stated Sabalenka on Instagram on Sunday night shortly after defying Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6) to lift a 23rd career trophy and 10th WTA 1000 title.

“I will definitely remember it for the rest of my life,” declared the 27-year-old. “This is truly tennis paradise and I'm always happy to come here. Thank God I finally got this trophy. This is everything, this is the dream."

Why did it mean so much? Well, the world No.1 lost Indian Wells finals at the hands of Rybakina (2023) and Mirra Andreeva last March.

On top of that, Sabalenka was forced to fend off Championship point in the deciding tie-break on Sunday with a cannonball cross court backhand.

On top of that, the four-time major winner has suffered her fair share of final heartbreak in recent campaigns. Concerning Rybakina, as their riveting rivalry continues to enrichen, Sabalenka fell to the world No.2 in the WTA Finals trophy showdown last November and also lost to the Kazakh in this year’s Australian Open final.

Time to turn the tables.

She built the platform for silverware success with straight sets victories over seeded trio Naomi Osaka, Victoria Mboko and Linda Noskova, prior to gaining revenge over Rybakina in a scorching final.

The month ‘off’ after Australian Open final heartbreak has clearly paid dividends.

“I guess it all comes with experience. With so many finals that I have lost, they also teach me a lot of things that basically the game is never done till it's done. So if it's a match point, you still have a chance to get back into the game,” mused Roland-Garros 2025 runner-up.

“I guess that's something that I learned to be mentally strong no matter what. And even though I lost so many big ones and so many painful ones, I would say, I'm still able to go out there, and even when things are not going well, I'm able to stay focused and I'm able to just to fight for it.”

Can a jubilant Sabalenka jet to Miami now and defend her WTA 1000 trophy in Florida?

Sinn-sational Jannik completes the set

Not only did Sinner clinch his maiden Indian Wells title on Sunday, the Italian talisman also became the youngest man in history to win every hard court Masters 1000 trophy.

He’s one of three, achieving the feat faster than ‘Big Three’ duo Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. The Fox’s legacy continues to know no bounds.

Down 0-4 in the second set tie-break to the resurgent Daniil Medvedev, the world No.2 stormed back with a mesmerising concoction of pure striking and skiing athleticism to be hailed champion for the 25th time in his captivating career.

The showstopping 7-6(6), 7-6(4) win meant the 24-year-old ruled the desert without dropping a set to the likes of Joao Fonseca, Learner Tien or Alexander Zverev too.

"I kept believing and kept pushing," said Sinner, reflecting on the super tense finale. "I went for my shots a little more. A third set, we would have started even, so I tried my best to close it out and I am very happy. It was an incredible ending."

There aren’t many significant titles that Sinner is yet to capture, with Roland-Garros on the horizon…

“First of all, Roland-Garros is very long way. There are big, big tournaments. I know what's also on the line before that. I'm very focused already for Miami in a couple of days,” insisted the four-time Grand Slam champion, the runner-up of the 2025 edition.

“It's good also to not think about tennis so much, but when you have this rhythm, I also don't want to lose it. It’s very important now. Miami, it's going to be very important. That's the last hard court event before the clay starts. And after, we are back in Europe, completely different conditions, clay, and you never know what's happening there.

“I'm looking forward to it. We will try to perform in the best possible way and then we see how it goes.”