ROLAND GARROS

May 28, 2025

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/J. Teichmann

6-3, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Aryna, congratulations. A great win and a tricky opponent today. Can you just give us your thoughts on the match and how you came back after being a break down.

ARYNA SABALENKA: She started really well, and I'm really super happy that when I was down 1-3 I hold my serve and I think after that game I kind of like felt a bit stronger and I found my rhythm and I came back in match and won this one.

It was, yeah, as you said, it was tricky. She's a tricky opponent. Very great tennis, and super happy to get through.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. I was wondering how good you're managing your slice that you're introducing in important moments and this change of rhythm. Is this a part that you're going to be a complete player, or it's just because you try and to try to defend against your opponent's tactic?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I was just lucky today, you know, (smiling).

No, this is something we have been working a lot in the past. I'm really happy to see working on the match. Yeah, of course I want to be a complete player. I want to have all of the tools and I want to bring variety on court and be kind of like unreadable player.

So I'm really happy to see it's working.

Q. I'm going to ask you about your next opponent, Olga Danilovic. You already play against her in Madrid. Can you tell us something more about that next match?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, I mean, we played long time ago. Was what, 2018, they told me on court. I wouldn't even watch that match, because we are completely different players.

And yeah, she's doing well. I'm really excited facing her in the next round and really looking forward.

Q. Obviously you're No. 1, playing on the best courts in the world. Lovely courts. Was there a time when you played on courts that weren't great? Any memorable...

ARYNA SABALENKA: I like that little giggle, when did you play... .

Honestly, I don't know, and I don't want to know (smiling). I'm really enjoying playing on the biggest courts. You know, I feel like nowadays I have a lot of support. This is amazing, you know. I go out there, I step on the court and I feel people screaming, shouting. I see the posters, and that's the best feeling. I really enjoy it, and I really hope I'll be playing on the biggest courts only till the end of my career.

Q. When you were kind of coming up on the ITF circuit or juniors, where there places that were not so good?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, I have been through a lot of different places, tournaments, and there was a lot of not-good places, not-good conditions. I guess it's only made me tougher and stronger. I think everyone experience that you know, in the past.

Yeah, so, you know, knowing the difference is really, you're grateful for every opportunity on these big stadiums.

Q. With what did you struggled at the beginning of the match? With what did you change in your game to, like, win nine games in a row?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I think she started really well, you know, like the rhythm was off. I couldn't really adjust to the ball. I didn't have my rhythm. I didn't really serve well. I mean, honestly, like, nothing worked well for me.

And that's what I said, like, I'm really glad that I was able to kind of like step in and hold my serve. That game gave me a lot of strengths to keep fighting, keep pushing. I'm super happy with the win.

You know, the scoreboard looks really easy, but it wasn't. She's tricky. She makes you work for every point and with a lot of running.

I'm super happy that I found my rhythm in the middle of the first set and I kind of like stepped in and put a lot of pressure on her.

Q. You spoke earlier about the differences between you and Danilovic. Can you say a few more words about that? How is it to play against a player who is, yeah, who is has another style than you?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Has what?

Q. Another style, playing style.

ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, yeah, she's lefty. That's the first difference. I think she plays really flat and fast and serves well. And, you know, we played long time ago. It was also a tough match. I'm happy I got the win back then. Today both of us improved a lot, and she been through injuries and she's coming back.

I saw her matches in Madrid this year, a little bit in Rome, and I can say that, yeah, she's playing great tennis. So do I. I'm really excited to play that match. It's going to be a fight. I love challenges, and I'm excited to face her.