“I was told clay’s not for me”: Sabalenka on what winning Roland-Garros would mean
The world No 1 has adjusted her game to great effect and hopes it will bear rewards
Aryna Sabalenka (Chryslene Caillaud/PSNewz)
Aryna Sabalenka is the queen of hard courts, but perhaps she might also be the new queen of clay, should she manage to win Roland-Garros on Saturday.
She ended the 26-match winning streak of Iga Swiatek in Thursday’s semi-final – finishing with a bagel decider – to secure her maiden final in Paris, where she will face Coco Gauff.
And, she told journalists afterwards, winning a clay-court Grand Slam would mean a great deal to her.
“It’s going to mean everything to me and my team, because I have to say that almost like the whole life I’ve been told where [clay] is not my thing and then I didn’t have any confidence.
“And in the past I don’t know how many years, we’ve been able to develop my game so much, so I feel really comfortable on this surface and actually enjoy playing on clay. If I’ll be able to get this trophy, it’s just going to mean the world for us.
“Yeah, I’m ready to go in that final and to fight, fight for every point and give everything I have to give to get the win.”
Sabalenka: I got better physically for clay
The world No 1 also gave a little insight into how she has adapted her game to succeed on clay.
“I have to say that for the clay I got better, much better physically. I think it’s really important on clay to be physically strong and ready to work for each point.
“And, also, I work on the spin for the clay. I wouldn’t say that drop shots and slice it’s like it’s perfect for clay. I think it’s better for the grass court. But also, it seems like it’s working on clay court.
“But I think mostly for the clay I improved physically, and also, I have more variety on the shots. Meaning, like, I can go flat, I can with the spin, I can go back and play in defence. That’s what works the best on the clay court for me.”
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