Mats Wilander says Aryna Sabalenka has ‘no weaknesses’ after French Open win

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander claimed Aryna Sabalenka has “no weaknesses” in her game after she won her opening match at the 2023 French Open.
The former world No 1 believes the Belarusian has improved in several areas, but highlighted her greater belief as perhaps the most important change.
Sabalenka defeated Marta Kostyuk 6-3, 6-2 in the first round at Roland Garros on the opening match on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday.
The Australian Open champion is seen as being one of three strong favourites for the women’s title, alongside defending champion Iga Swiatek and Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina.
Speaking on Eurosport’s coverage, Wilander lauded the developments the world No 2 has made in all aspects of her game.
“Well, I think it’s belief only. I always thought that Sabalenka, she had all the shots. She has the power. She seems like she’s moving better on every surface, but it starts for me with the serve,” said the Swede.
“We’ve talked about the serve, she talked about her serve a few years ago. And she could not get the second serve in play. And she worked through it. And now she worked through winning a Slam. And now she’s working through knowing how to play on clay.
“So what’s the next step? I’m not really sure. But I think it’s gonna be improvement, by improvement, by improvement. And physically she’s so strong, she’s moving much better. She has no weaknesses in her game if she believes in herself, which right now, she has probably the most confidence of all the players.”
The three-time French Open champion compared the conditions on the opening day in Paris to the Madrid Open, where Sabalenka won the title in May.
“Well today here on Sunday after her first round, we are in Madrid. Because it’s hot, the balls are flying through the air, the courts are playing very dry and very fast. And when you look at the weather forecast, it’s supposed to be like this for the next few days.
“So this is good for Sabalenka for sure. But that’s what makes Roland Garros so difficult to win, because one day you’re gonna have the perfect French – or should we say British – weather. And then it becomes rainy and slow and now you have to work for every point.
“That’s when confidence is really important and I think Sabalenka is able to do that. Even though Rome wasn’t great, I think it’d be no problem here.”
READ MORE: Aryna Sabalenka hits back after being told she is ‘twisting’ Ukrainian players’ comments
Latest
-
Tennis Features
Six ways clay courts are superior to hard courts
Clay courts often get a bad rap with the odd player gripe repeated endlessly in the media, but the surface has a number of big upsides.
-
Tennis News
WATCH: Intense Felix Auger-Aliassime brushes off Laver Cup spat with Gael Monfils
Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gael Monfils shared some heated moments after the Canadian complained to the umpire during their Laver Cup clash.
-
ATP Tour
More questions for Andy Murray to answer after another agonising defeat
Andy Murray blew an early lead as he crashed to defeat against Aslan Karatsev in the last 16.
-
Tennis News
Roger Federer reveals what he misses about tennis as Rafael Nadal surprises him
Speaking in an interview with former world No 1 Jim Courier at the Laver Cup, the 20-time Grand Slam champion reflected on how his life chan
-
US Open
Top coach spotted Coco Gauff’s potential very early on
Patrick Mouratoglou has revealed that Coco Gauff left a big impression on him during their first meeting.
-
Tennis News
British star set for rankings breakthrough after a decade on the ATP Tour
Liam Broady set to break into the top 100 of the ATP rankings for the first time.
-
Tennis News
Guadalajara proves a balm for Maria Sakkari’s suffering once again
Maria Sakkari feels that the bond between herself and Guadalajara has grown closer after another deep run in the Mexican city.
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic hits raw nerve with tennis chiefs after latest controversial comments
Djokovic has made some radical proposals that would ensure the huge amounts of cash being generated by gambling goes to tennis players.
-
Tennis News
Ben Shelton salutes the three players who have taken him under their wing
Ben Shelton has paid homage to the brotherhood of the top American men in the game.
-
Tennis News
Can Cameron Norrie still reach the ATP Tour finals powered by strong Asian swing?
Cameron Norrie is out to reach the ATP Tour finals this term.