Sabalenka was the primary. He arrived on the press heart at Roland Garros at 1 pm (an hour after Christmas). And in a brief convention he answered questions from journalists.
– For a few years, tennis gamers have needed to face the truth that there’s Rafael Nadal, somebody who in a way set himself aside from the remaining. Now tennis gamers are in a scenario virtually just like what Iga Świątek was doing lately – that is how one of many journalists began his query to Sabalenka.
After some time, he added that the world quantity two is aware of the world very properly, particularly this spring. This was a transparent reference to the finals of the latest match in Madrid and Rome, the place Sabalenka misplaced to Świątek. – Are you coming to this match eager to win and anticipating to win? How do you mentally set your self as much as know that [obok ciebie] Is anybody getting larger yearly? – Finally Sabalenka heard. And he was very shocked.
Sabalenka about Świątek: He is greater than me
– How did you end? Someone who is greater than me? – he requested. – No, somebody who grows older yearly. “You aren’t any larger than your self,” the reporter replied calmly. And then Sabalenka reacted with humility certainly. – He is older than me – stated the Belarusian about Iga Świątek. – And the reply to the query is solely to not deal with it and deal with your self, your objectives and the issues that I want to enhance, – he added.
This was not the top of Sabalenka’s sort feedback about Świątek. – You’ve achieved one thing superb right here Roland outcomes, so I take it as a problem to be higher than him right here. I prefer to face troublesome challenges. This motivates me and provides me power, stated the WTA quantity two.
Sabalenka and Świątek have confronted one another 11 instances. The Poles have received eight of those video games. Including the final three – in November in Cancun as a part of the WTA Finals and in May in Madrid and Rome on the finish of two “1000’s” on clay.
In Paris 3:0 for Świątek, and within the Grand Slam titles 4:2
Roland Garros, whose essential match begins on Sunday, is probably the most prestigious occasion performed on clay courts. Świątek has already received this Grand Slam match thrice – in 2020, 2022 and 2023. Sabalenka who lastly reached the semi-finals – final yr. In complete, Świątek has 4 Grand Slam titles (three Roland Garros + US Open), and Sabalenka – two (she received the Australian Open twice).
In the primary spherical of Roland Garros, Iga will play a qualifier or fortunate loser, whereas Aryna will play Erika Andreeva. A doable duel between Świątek and Sabalenka can solely occur within the closing.