MUTUA MADRID OPEN

April 25, 2026

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/J. Cristian

6-1, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Aryna, congratulations. Summarize your performance out there today.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I'm super happy with the level, especially in the first set.

Second set, happy to hold my serve to close the match in straight sets. She brought really incredible fight, and happy to be through.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Well played today. Just curious, given all your success on clay, at this point does it feel like coming, playing your first tournament on the surface, does it feel natural, does it feel like a natural surface for you?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I feel like taking Madrid in the first tournament on the clay is not really that natural and not that easy. Because of the altitude and the conditions here it's a bit tricky. I'm still finding my rhythm and, yeah, I'm just hoping with every game I play I'll play better and I'll find my rhythm and my tennis on clay.

Q. Two solid matches here. Curious, you won 25 out of 26 matches this season, if I'm not mistaken. The only loss was the Australian Open final, but still, three titles, one major final. I was wondering, if someone told you at the beginning of the season this is going to be your season until the 25th of April, would you have signed for it?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I mean, I'll be like, I mean, who knows, let's just go and take it one step at a time, and hopefully we'll get to this point. But, I mean, probably I wouldn't really believe it because the statistic sounds really crazy.

But at the same time with the scheduling and with my body, we're taking some extra time to be more ready for every tournament, to show up with the best tennis I can. So probably I would believe, but still sounds crazy (laughing).

Q. I've seen you before the match just walking with your dog. Is it a way to just stay focused before the match, just without people around?

ARYNA SABALENKA: No, he just didn't poop and pee, and I wanted him to do his stuff so he wouldn't do it on the court (laughing). Maybe it's some sort of meditation (laughing).

Q. I have to ask you about that great shot you hit. Curious --

ARYNA SABALENKA: I was waiting for that. Did you see that? (Laughing). That was crazy.

Q. How many one-handed backhands do you think you've hit in your life?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, we actually practice lefty and one-handed backhand before each practice, so I've hit quite a little. But to hit it on the match, and to hit it as a winner, probably that was the shot of my life. I'm waiting for Roger to comment any tips for me (laughing).

Q. I know we're waiting on your next opponent, and it may be Naomi Osaka, she's up a set now. I know you haven't played her that frequently, you played her at Indian Wells, but it would be the first time on clay. What do you think of her clay court game and potentially playing her in the next round?

ARYNA SABALENKA: All of the matches we played it's, I mean, all of them, I think it was only two of them. It always been a great battle, great level of tennis, so I feel like it doesn't matter which surface we're going to play, it's still going to be battle. So if it's going to be her, I'm really excited.

Q. Watching a lot of the top players these days, in my opinion you're really strong in the corners, when you're on the run, at full stretch. How important is that in the game right now to be stronger and be able to hurt people from all parts of the court?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I think it's really important to put pressure not only from your strike zone, but also on the goal. Just like putting extra pressure that, even if I'll be moving, even if I'll be defending, I'll still be able to stay in the point and also damage you. So I think it's, yeah, it's really important.