PARIS — Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning world number one in women's tennis, has embraced the pressure of being at the top of the rankings, declaring she "loves the target on her back" as she prepares for her quest to claim a maiden French Open title.
The Belarusian powerhouse, who has dominated the WTA Tour with her aggressive baseline game and thunderous serve, spoke candidly about the challenges of maintaining her position while rivals like Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina chase her down. "It's not easy, but I thrive under pressure," Sabalenka said in a pre-tournament press conference at Roland Garros.
Sabalenka's Rise to the Top
Sabalenka's ascent to the summit of women's tennis has been nothing short of remarkable. After breaking into the top 10 in 2019, she faced a dip in form before rediscovering her rhythm in 2022. Her breakthrough came at the 2023 Australian Open, where she captured her first Grand Slam title, cementing her status as a force to be reckoned with.
Key milestones in Sabalenka's career include:
- Winning back-to-back WTA 1000 titles in Madrid (2021, 2022)
- Securing the 2023 Australian Open crown without dropping a set
- Reaching the semifinals of the 2023 French Open and Wimbledon
Embracing the Pressure
Sabalenka's mental resilience has been a defining factor in her success. Unlike some players who buckle under the weight of expectations, she relishes the challenge. "When you're number one, everyone wants to beat you. But that just pushes me to work harder," she said.
Her coach, Anton Dubrov, echoed this sentiment, highlighting her ability to transform pressure into motivation. "Aryna doesn’t shy away from the spotlight. She uses it as fuel," Dubrov remarked.
The French Open Challenge
While Sabalenka has excelled on hard courts, clay has historically been her least favored surface. However, her performance at last year's French Open, where she reached the semifinals before falling to Karolína Muchová, signaled a significant improvement.
This year, she enters Roland Garros with renewed confidence. "I’ve worked a lot on my movement and patience on clay. I feel ready," Sabalenka stated.
Rivalries and Respect
Sabalenka’s biggest rival, Iga Świątek, has dominated the French Open in recent years, winning three titles since 2020. The two have developed a fierce but respectful rivalry, with Sabalenka holding a 4-3 head-to-head advantage.
When asked about Świątek, Sabalenka was effusive in her praise. "Iga is an incredible player, especially on clay. Every match against her is a battle, and that’s what I love," she said.
Looking Ahead
With the French Open underway, Sabalenka remains focused on the task at hand. Her aggressive style and improved consistency make her a formidable contender, but the clay courts of Paris present a unique challenge.
Sabalenka’s mindset is clear: "I’m here to win. The target on my back doesn’t scare me—it excites me." Whether she can translate that confidence into a maiden Roland Garros title remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Sabalenka is ready for the fight.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the world number one to see if she can handle the pressure and cement her legacy as one of the sport’s greats.