Aryna Sabalenka shouts out 🇧🇷 Brazilian fans after Madrid comeback

Aryna Sabalenka is yet to come to Brazil, but the world No. 1’s growing fan base brought Brazil to the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday.

“Thank you so much, everyone, for coming, watching and supporting us,” Sabalenka said after a three-set victory over Elise Mertens, “Especially my Brazilian support, you guys are the best. Obrigado!”

Read more: Brazilian fans adopt Aryna Sabalenka in Miami 🇧🇷

The Miami-based Sabalenka first started feeling the love from “meu 🇧🇷 fans” last month at the Hard Rock Stadium. In between cheering on one of their own in Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca, they found time to adopt Sabalenka, who received a shirt that dubbed her “Our Brazilian diva.”

“They're my people,” Sabalenka later said in her visit to the Tennis Channel Live Desk. “I'm almost Brazilian at this point.”

Sabalenka shared images of coach Anton Dubrov in the shirt and rode the good vibes to her first Miami Open title.

Though Fonseca lost a tough match to Tommy Paul on Saturday, the Brazilians were back for Sabalenka, and their support helped the two-time Madrid champion advance at the Caja Magica over Mertens, a former doubles partner who led Sabalenka by a set. The top seed ultimately advanced, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.

“It’s always tough battles against Elise,” said Sabalenka, who improved to 10-2 against Mertens, having also beaten her last week at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. “Today, she played incredible tennis, honestly. I had no idea how I was able to turn around this match and bring such a great level in the second and the third set. I’m super happy with the win. It was a really tough match.

“Honestly, I was just trying to play point by point. I was trying to find the rhythm on my serve, especially on the serve and the baseline, as well. The moment I started focusing on the timing and not rushing the ball or over-hitting, things really clicked.”

Sabalenka hopes to keep the good vibes going, winding down before she continues her campaign for a third Madrid title.

“I think we’re going to visit our friends and they’re going to cook dinner for us, I’m sure a good one,” said the 26-year-old, who will next face American Peyton Stearns for a spot in the last eight. “It’s time to chill after such a tough match.”