Sabalenka hoping for “different” Roland-Garros this year
The world No 1 is hoping to get her best-ever result in Roland-Garros
Aryna Sabalenka (Zuma/PSNewz)
After winning her third title at the Mutua Madrid Open, Aryna Sabalenka told reporters that she hopes it heralds a change of luck at Roland-Garros this year.
The world No 1 has never yet made a final in Paris, and her only clay titles have all been in Madrid. However, now with over 11,000 ranking points in the bag – only the third woman to reach such a milestone – Sabalenka will arrive in France a fearsome prospect.
“I hope it’s going to be different,” she laughed in her press conference. “Honestly, I just have more confidence in my game on the clay court. I had really tough battles in the past in the last stages of the tournament. I was there in the semis and I was like really close to make it to the finals.
“I don’t know, I just going to go out there and compete and fight. Physically and mentally I’m ready to work for every point as much as I have to work, and I really hope that this year is going to be different.”
Sabalenka – Swiatek will come back
On the subject of the rankings, Sabalenka is now more than 4,000 points ahead of second-ranked Iga Swiatek, who has been more or less unbeatable in Paris in recent years, but has lately shown one or two wobbles even on her beloved clay. Still, even without anyone breathing down her neck, Sabalenka says she can find more than enough motivation.
“I think I’m able to find that push inside of myself, I would say. It’s not like I’m having the easiest matches all the time, you know, like all of them can really push me to work really hard for each point. Anyway, whenever I play out there, there is like a fight and I have to overcome some things, and I’m pushing myself really hard in some of the matches.
“I mean, you know, like now probably Iga is not doing well, which is absolutely fine, and I know that she’s going to come back. I’m just like working for the future, like trying to improve my game as much as I can, just so I’m ready for whoever is going to bring the challenge on court.”
