"I have been told clay is not my thing" - Aryna Sabalenka gets honest about her detractors as she contemplates winning French Open final

2025 French Open - Day Twelve - Source: Getty
Belarusian tennis player, Aryna Sabalenka - Source: Getty

Aryna Sabalenka opened up about her critics as she expressed her feelings about the prospect of winning the 2025 French Open title. The Belarusian will face Coco Gauff in the summit clash on Saturday, June 7.

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Sabalenka has delivered stellar performances in the French Open and has reached the final after besting the likes of Qinwen Zheng and Amanda Anisimova. Her most recent match was the semifinal clash against defending champion Iga Swiatek, where she proved her dominance by winning the match with a score of 7-6(7), 4-6, 6-0.

Following her showdown against Swiatek, Sabalenka sat for a conversation with Tennis Actu TV in the post-match press conference, where she was asked about how she would feel about winning the French Open title. Sabalenka replied that, as her detractors have always told her she was not made for clay court, winning this tournament would mean the world to her.

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"Well, it's going to mean everything to me and my team, because, I have said that my almost like the whole life, I have been told that clay court is not my thing, and then I didn't have any confidence, and in the past, I don't know how many years we have being able to develop my game so much I feel that I feel really comfortable on the surface, and I actually enjoy playing on clay, and if I'll be able to get this trophy, it's just going to mean the world for us," said Aryna Sabalenka (1:40 onwards).
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Sabalenka opened her 2025 season by competing at the Brisbane International, where she claimed the title after contesting against Polina Kudermetova in the final.

Aryna Sabalenka sends a message to Coco Gauff ahead of the French Open final

In the post-match press conference after her semifinal clash against Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka warned Coco Gauff, ahead of their summit clash. Stating that the job is not yet done, Sabalenka said that she will give her best in the match and claimed to bring out her 'best tennis.'

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"As you said, it was a big match and it felt like a final but I know that the job is not done yet and I have to go out there on Saturday and I have to fight and I have to bring my best tennis and I have to work for that title. Especially if it's going to be Coco. So, I'm ready, I'm ready to fight and I'm ready to do everything it's going to take to get the win," Aryna Sabalenka said in the post-match press conference (4:36 onward).

Sabalenka and Gauff also clashed in the Madrid Open final last month, when the former showcased dominance and won the title with a score of 6-3, 7-6(7). In addition to the Madrid Open, Aryna Sabalenka has won two more titles this year, the Miami Open and the Brisbane International.

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Edited by Samya Majumdar
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