THE MODERATOR: Aryna, back at Indian Wells. Different time of the year. Do you want to talk about being back here, what it means to be back in the WTA Finals.
ARYNA SABALENKA: I'm super happy to be back at Indian Wells, a lot of great memories, especially this season, getting my dog, getting engaged, winning the title.
I hope Indian Wells will keep being perfect for me (smiling).
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. I recognize you're not the defending champion of the WTA Finals, you're the defending champion here. How much of that experience can you lean on or it's not really relevant, given it's a completely different tournament?
ARYNA SABALENKA: I feel like it's completely different tournament, different vibes. Even the setup, how I feel being at Indian Wells, it feels so different.
So I would say it's completely different.
Q. In terms of confidence, how good are you at sort of resetting from tournament to tournament? Are you able to come in clean slate?
ARYNA SABALENKA: I feel like this season it's been something that was trying to teach me how to reset completely. Yeah, leave things in the past and move on. I think I learned that.
Q. Since Wuhan, what have you been working on to help you reset and come in with a clean slate?
ARYNA SABALENKA: First of all, I was trying to fix my body. I think we did the right things to it, so physically I feel better.
Then yeah, it was a lot of training, a lot of physical and mental training. Let's see how it goes.
Q. A tournament like this that's a round-robin format, do you do anything differently either training-wise or strategically coming into it?
ARYNA SABALENKA: No, I like to keep my routine the same. I try to ignore the round-robin. I try to focus on winning every match, giving my best every time.
I feel like our preparation stays the same.
Q. Sixth straight time. With new players, new challenges, what is sort of your key to maintaining this level of tennis?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Hmmm... I'm trying to focus on myself, trying to improve my game and myself as a person. I think that's the best way to try to keep up with the level.
Q. In the first match you play against Karolina Muchova. You played already five times. What is so tough playing her style?
ARYNA SABALENKA: She's amazing player. She really has variety in the game, approaches the net, great touch. We had a lot of great, tough battles, close matches.
She's very challenging, moving well, heavy strokes, great serving, approaches the net. She's a tricky player to face.
I always enjoy playing against her.
Q. The fashion portion of the WTA Finals is fun for us. We know you love fashion. What is that like for you to do that in the tennis context because you do it in other contexts all the time? Do you feel you carry in some extra experience in that department?
ARYNA SABALENKA: I don't know about that. But I love the idea of having sort of like a theme and try to dress up matching the theme.
Yeah, this time was fun. It was sports chic, which style I like the most. It was very fun dressing for the Finals this time.
Q. You said you've been working on your tennis and yourself. Apart from tennis, what have you worked on personally?
ARYNA SABALENKA: Trying to stop to overthink, and trust my instincts more, leaving some things behind. It was lots of work.
Q. You've said working with a sports psychologist is not something you have done recently at least. Is that still the case? Do you feel like you know what you need to do and you just have to do it?
ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, part of it is like that. I go back to work with psychologist and I feel like at this time I really needed someone to just help find myself again. Yeah, I'm started back working with psychologist (laughter).
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports