Sabalanka Eager for Madrid, Aiming to Revisit 2023 Glory Instead of 2024
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Synopsis
Aryna Sabalenka returns to the Mutua Madrid Open eager to replicate her 2023 title win. She reflects on her past experiences on clay, her approach to tournaments, and her caution regarding contaminated substances in her diet.
Key Takeaways
- Sabalanka seeks to relive her 2023 victory.
- She acknowledges the challenges of playing on clay.
- Prefers longer tournaments for better relaxation.
- Supports the use of automatic line-call systems.
- Increased caution regarding substance consumption.
Madrid (Spain), April 23 (NationPress) Aryna Sabalenka returns to the Mutua Madrid Open with hopes of reliving her title victory from 2023, rather than the heart-wrenching loss in last year’s final against Iga Swiatek. Despite a recent setback in Stuttgart, Sabalenka comes to Madrid in strong form, although she acknowledged in a press conference on Wednesday that the clay surface there isn't her preferred choice.
“Competing on clay offers you more time to execute your shots. However, in the past, this has sometimes caused me confusion, leading to errors due to an overload of ideas,” she reflected.
Nonetheless, the Belarusian emphasized that the surface requires solid physical preparation and tactical intelligence, making it “the one that promotes growth in all facets of the game,” according to reports from Xinhua.
Last season, she faced a dramatic final, losing 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 to Swiatek, describing it as “an impressive spectacle” that proved her capability on clay. However, she added that the eventual loss was “very disappointing” and she tries to avoid dwelling on last year’s final.
Sabalenka also expressed a preference for extended tournaments, stating that “having a rest day between matches allows for greater relaxation, opportunities to dine with your team, and explore the city.”
Moreover, she voiced her support for an automatic line-call system, even on clay, “because there are moments when chair umpires might err, as visible marks don’t always align with reality due to the ball's trajectory and speed.”
Finally, the top seed discussed her heightened caution regarding testing positive for contaminated substances, acknowledging that she is “much more vigilant and aware of the risks” following incidents like Jannik Sinner’s suspension.
“I only consume food and drinks that I can fully control, provided by my team, and I am extremely careful about my associations and contacts. A person could have a cream containing a banned substance, which could come into contact with me, so… Yes, it’s quite daunting,” she admitted.
