Aryna Sabalenka is not worrying too much about beating Iga Swiatek, even though she knows it must happen if she hopes to lift the Roland Garros trophy.
Heading into this year's French Open, it's pretty clear that Swiatek is head and shoulders above everybody else when it comes to playing tennis on clay. Number two on that list is likely Sabalenka, who made deep runs in both Madrid and Rome but failed to win either of those finals.
The Pole proved better, and that's why they joked during the Rome trophy ceremony about seeing each other once more in Paris. Beating the world no. 1 in Paris will be tough, as she has already won three times in the French capital.
It's a great spot for her, and if any opponent wants the trophy, they're likely going to have to beat her. Sabalenka is well aware of that, but she doesn't want to obsess too much over it.
She understands that focusing on herself and her own game is more important, and then if she has to play, then she'll hope that the improvements in her game will be enough.
"If I have one thing clear, it is that I cannot obsess over beating Iga, but rather I must focus on myself and everything I must do to be a better tennis player. If I manage to do that, I know that I will have opportunities to prove myself against her."
If somebody can beat Swiatek, it's likely Sabalenka, who certainly came really close in Madrid. She's also one of the few players who actually has a win over the Polish player on clay, and she's also a player who likes challenges, such as playing against her.
"I know she has achieved impressive things in this tournament, but I love difficult challenges. It motivates me especially and gives me great energy to fight for goals as complicated as beating Iga in this event."
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