ROLAND GARROS

June 8, 2023

Aryna Sabalenka

Press Conference

K. MUCHOVA/A. Sabalenka

7-6, 6-7, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Aryna, a tough match today. Very competitive match. Can you give us your initial thoughts on the match and how you played?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, tough match. Yeah, she played unbelievable tennis. Still, I had a lot of opportunities, and I didn't use it.

Yeah, of course I'm very disappointed with this tough loss, but that's okay.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. You had the match point at 5-2. When did you feel like your game began to get away from you? Was it then or after that?

ARYNA SABALENKA: No, I think after I lost my serve. I was serving for the match, so I think after that game she kind of stepped in and started playing a little bit more aggressive, and I kind of, yeah, lost my rhythm. Yeah, I wasn't there.

Q. She's been a little bit under the radar, injured a lot. Can you compare what it was like playing her versus what it was like your usual opponents or rivals for the last year, Iga and Elena?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Well, yeah, she was a little bit out of radar, but she always play great tennis, coming to the net, playing really aggressive. Like if she see these short balls, she's coming to the net, so it's kind of a little bit tricky to build point against her.

Yeah, she just played great tennis.

Q. You often talked about your emotion on court this year. So how did you feel on court today? Was it some kind of extra pressure?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Not like super extra pressure. I felt good. I fight for every opportunity.

Then, yeah, I mean, emotionally I felt really good. I don't know. It's just tough to say anything about this match (smiling).

Q. You have done an incredible job overcoming adversity this season. Last year was tough. This year you came and won the Australian Open. You are on a 12-match winning streak at the slams. I know today was hard, but do you look at it as just another challenge that you're going to overcome?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I mean, of course you're always facing some challenges, and I definitely have to learn something from this match and come back stronger.

But, anyway, I think what I was doing and hopefully I will keep doing it this season, that's incredible, just next level. I don't look at this tournament as negative tournament. I think I did great improvement on the clay court, and it's my best result here.

Just right now I'm trying to stay positive no matter what happened on court (smiling). Anyway, whatever, I'll come back stronger.

It's tough match, but I had so many opportunities, but still, I would like to look at this tournament as a positive tournament.

Q. You've told us that it's been a very challenging two weeks for you emotionally. You have also said that you have wanted to look after yourself and your mental health and well-being. Has there ever been a time in these two weeks when you felt like you did not want to play tennis? Also, has there ever been a time when you thought your emotions would not allow you to play your best tennis?

ARYNA SABALENKA: No, there wasn't anything like that. Yeah, I felt bad emotionally after one press conference. As I said, I couldn't sleep. But the only thing I can do well in this life is play tennis, so I try to focus on things I could control and I could do.

So there wasn't any moment when I was, like, I don't want to play tennis. No, I really want to play tennis. That's the only thing I do well in life and I have some control, so that's okay.

It's been great couple of weeks with some challenges, emotional challenges, but I think I get through it. I don't know. I think I'll be stronger.

Q. I saw you say a few weeks ago that you didn't yet have a visa to get to the UK. I just wonder, do you have the visa now? Can you come?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yes, now I have visa. Woohoo. I can celebrate (smiling). I'm coming to Wimbledon, which is great news.

Q. How much are you looking forward then to coming back to Wimbledon?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I'm super excited. I really like to play there. I really enjoy the atmosphere. I really missed last year Wimbledon, and yeah, just can't wait to come back and show my best tennis.

Q. We know that Grand Slams are pretty exhausting in the best of times. You spoke about, again, earlier today your struggles to sleep at times and, you know, it was a very physical match today, as well. Just how exhausted do you feel both physically and emotionally at this point?

ARYNA SABALENKA: Yeah, I think I'm really exhausted right now (smiling). But I think it's only because I lost this match, and it's very, like, very tough, tough match for me to lose.

But, yeah, I think it's normal to feel exhausted after two weeks of playing nonstop and playing on the clay. It's always physical matches.

So I think for the next couple of days I'll be just party hard. Joking (laughter).

No, I'll rest, recovery, and then, yeah, get back to practicing. Love it.

Q. First of all, congratulations on just getting through this tournament. I would like to ask you a tough question, which is that if I understood right the other day, you said you were at this point not supporting the president of your country. Do you feel okay? Do you feel safe with that statement? Are you fine with it? What are your thoughts?

ARYNA SABALENKA: I don't want to talk about politics today. I made all my statements. You have it.

I don't want to talk about politics today. Let's just talk about tennis. Give me some rest, please, from politics (smiling).