‘Exhausted’ Aryna Sabalenka has ‘a little bit of a hangover’, but loss ‘doesn’t affect Roland Garros chances’

Shahida Jacobs 12 May 2023 8:03 AM

Aryna Sabalenka admitted that she needs a rest following her shock loss to Sofia Kenin at the Italian Open, but it shouldn’t affect her Roland Garros aspirations, according to Andy Roddick.

The world No 2 was 9-1 on clay ahead of her clash against Kenin as she finished runner-up to Iga Swiatek at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and then beat the Pole in the final of the Madrid Open on Sunday.

2020 Australian Open champion Kenin, meanwhile, has struggled in recent years as she slumped to No 134 in the WTA Rankings following her first-round exit in the Spanish capital a fortnight ago.

Yet, it was the American who produced a brilliant display as she brushed aside one of the hot favourites 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 in the second round at Foro Italico.

“Obviously super happy, I played really well,” Kenin said. “Of course she’s had some great results, great year, so of course going into the match there’s not much pressure on my side.

“I tried to use that to my advantage, and of course I felt like an underdog coming in. … I tried to take it to her, do my best. I had to bring my A-game in order to win.”

Sabalenka, meanwhile, took to Twitter to reveal her battery needs charging following her recent exertions, writing: “Exhausted Definitely need some recharge ”

Exhausted Definitely need some recharge

— Sabalenka Aryna (@SabalenkaA) May 11, 2023

Following her impressive run in recent months – especially on clay – Australian Open champion Sabalenka has been labelled as one of the favourites for Roland Garros.

And despite her hiccup in Rome, former world No 1 Roddick feels she will still be one of the players to beat at the French Open.

“Maybe, there was a little bit of a hangover but those turnarounds have been done before and they used to be in a tighter schedule. So, it doesn’t affect what I think as far as Sabalenka’s chances at Roland Garros,” the American told Tennis Channel.

As for Kenin, while Sabalenka was not at her best on Thursday, the American produced one of her most impressive displays and Roddick was full of praise for the former

“Let’s acknowledge what Kenin did really well. She stood inside the court on the second serve, was changing directions, so Sabalenka wasn’t hitting two or thre shots from the same position where she can kind of get that cumulative effect of her immense power,” he said.

“All the credit to Sofia Kenin. She was on her game and it was great to see it again.”