Sabalenka Warns Fans to Stay Hydrated in Indian Wells Heat

World No. 1 advises spectators to add extra salt to drinks during extreme conditions.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:34am

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Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, has advanced to the semifinals of the tournament. However, the extreme heat in California has made playing conditions very challenging for the players. After her quarterfinal victory over Victoria Mboko, Sabalenka urged spectators in the crowd to stay hydrated and add extra salt to their drinks to prevent dehydration during the matches.

Why it matters

The hot weather in Indian Wells has been a major talking point throughout the tournament, with players struggling to cope with the extreme conditions. Sabalenka's comments highlight the difficulties they are facing and the steps they are taking to manage their energy and stay healthy during the matches.

The details

Sabalenka, the world No. 1, has had a successful run at Indian Wells so far, defeating Himeno Sakatsume, Jaqueline Cristian, Naomi Osaka, and Victoria Mboko to reach the semifinals. However, she has acknowledged the challenging conditions, describing the weather as "tricky" due to its fluctuations. During her post-match interview after the quarterfinal win, Sabalenka advised spectators to stay hydrated and add extra salt to their drinks to prevent dehydration.

  • Sabalenka defeated Victoria Mboko in the quarterfinals on March 13, 2026.

The players

Aryna Sabalenka

The world No. 1 tennis player and top seed at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Victoria Mboko

The 10th seed at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open, who Sabalenka defeated in the quarterfinals.

Linda Nosková

The 14th seed at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open, who will face Sabalenka in the semifinals.

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What they’re saying

“It's really tricky to prepare yourself for these conditions because they go up and down, and today is a very hot day. So, guys, please stay hydrated. Put some extra salt in your drinks. We don't want to see you guys passing out here in the crowd. So, stay hydrated.”

— Aryna Sabalenka (profootballnetwork.com)

“And I guess that's how we take it. We drink a lot of water. We try to manage our energy. And lucky me, I go out here, and I'm able to physically be ready to compete in these conditions.”

— Aryna Sabalenka (profootballnetwork.com)

What’s next

Sabalenka is set to face Linda Nosková in the semifinals of the 2026 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. The winner of that match will advance to the final, where they will face either third seed Elena Rybakina or ninth seed Elina Svitolina.

The takeaway

Sabalenka's comments highlight the extreme challenges players are facing due to the hot weather conditions at the Indian Wells tournament. Her advice to spectators to stay hydrated and add extra salt to their drinks underscores the importance of proper hydration and electrolyte balance in coping with such extreme heat, not just for the players but for everyone in attendance.