As the claycourt season gains momentum, world number two Aryna Sabalenka is fully immersed in her preparations ahead of her Stuttgart opener, setting her sights on the French Open next month.
The Australian Open champion has faced significant challenges in recent weeks following the tragic loss of her former boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, just before the Miami Open last month. Despite the emotional turmoil, the 25-year-old Belarusian is determined to focus on her tennis and transition to the clay surface as she prepares for the year’s second Grand Slam event in Paris, commencing on May 26th.
Speaking to reporters, Sabalenka revealed that she wasted no time in shifting her attention to claycourt training immediately after the Miami Open. “Stuttgart is a good place to start the clay season,” she emphasized. “You’re slowly getting into this ‘clay mood’, sliding, playing long rallies. I like to play lots of tournaments before the Grand Slam, so I think it’s a good one to start with.”
Having finished as runner-up in Stuttgart for the past three years, Sabalenka is eager to make her mark once again as she prepares to face her good friend Paula Badosa in a highly anticipated rematch on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, defending champion Iga Swiatek is also adjusting to the slower surface, having recently guided Poland into the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Despite the challenges of transitioning to clay, Swiatek expressed confidence in her ability to adapt quickly. “I felt today that I can do the transition pretty quickly,” she remarked. “I’m not expecting that I’m going to feel comfortable from my first match because you always need some matches to just gain confidence on any surface, even if you feel comfortable on it.”
As Sabalenka and Swiatek gear up for the claycourt season, tennis fans can anticipate an exciting buildup to the French Open, with both players poised to showcase their skills on the renowned clay surface.
