ROLAND GARROS

May 30, 2026

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/D. Kasatkina

6-0, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Aryna, great job today. Tough conditions, as well. Just talk us through your thoughts on the match and how pleased you were to get that done in two sets.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, super happy with the level, happy to get the win in straight sets. She's a tough opponent. Happy to, once again, happy to close the match in two sets.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Tough conditions. How do you recharge your batteries with these conditions? In your time off, what do you like to do?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, how do you recharge? You mean on the court or off the court?

Q. Both.

ARYNA SABALENKA: Both. On the court I just try to stay cool. I have bunch of ice on my face, on the legs, trying to just keep the body cool. It doesn't feel that bad, like, moving on the court. I feel like it's worse sitting in this heat and kind of like boiling there. Playing, it's okay.

Off the court, I like to spend time with my team, with my friends, go for dinner. Sometimes go outside and walk around. Just trying to keep it easy. Or watch Netflix. I feel like today I'm in the mood to just get back in the room, do treatment, put on Netflix. Have some hot chocolate, still hot chocolate, because AC is, like, 16 degrees in my room, so hot chocolate, and just watch Netflix.

Q. Obviously a tale of two sets today. In the first week of a slam, do you enjoy being tested? Do you enjoy close sets to keep you match tight, or would you be very happy if everything was 6-2, 6-2?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I don't know. I like it both, you know. Also good to be tested, like to feel the fight, you know, to kind of like activate this fight mode, to feel the pressure a little bit. I feel like it's a good preparation for the second week.

Q. I'm so jealous of the AC in your hotel room.

ARYNA SABALENKA: (Laughter.)

Q. I'm wondering, since you face Naomi again next, just how much confidence you take from having played her two times, Indian Wells and Madrid, and especially on two different surfaces. What can you take from those past matches?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I was really, I feel like the last one in Madrid was, really tight match, was great level. She really stepped in and raised her level in the last match.

I'm just ready for the fight. I'm ready to go out there to fight for that match, for that win. Ready to do anything it takes to get the win.

Q. I wanted to ask you a question about Ash, if you've noticed all the other dogs. It feels like so many players have dogs now. What have you found is the hardest thing about traveling with him?

ARYNA SABALENKA: The hardest thing? I think we're not really great in managing where we're staying, to have the park around, just so you can go outside and walk the dog. Usually we keep our habits the same. We stay in the city and then there is no place to walk around.

So far it's been pretty good. He's very smart dog, very easy, very chill, and super easy to adjust to new places. So far it's been pretty good.

Q. Jealous also of your air conditioning. Sounds great. Talk about Naomi also. You hadn't played her for a long time and now three times already this year. What's it been like getting a chance to play the same opponent again and now the biggest tournament you have played her at, fourth-round Grand Slam?

ARYNA SABALENKA: No, it's great, great to see her back on her level. Maybe not at her best level, but she's back, she's fighting, she's building her level. It's nice to see her. She's a great player, great person.

Yeah, I feel like I really enjoy our battles. It's high-level matches, and I really enjoy when somebody push me to the limit.