World No. 1 WTA star Aryna Sabalenka recently reacted to the empty seats during her semifinal showdown at Roland Garros. The Belarusian player mentioned how she couldn’t split her focus towards the crowd while being busy with the showdown against Iga Swiatek. She rather chose a witty remark to brush off the query.
Aryna Sabalenka Addresses Question About Empty Seats at Roland Garros
Świątek’s bid for a fifth French Open title came to an end in the semifinals, where she was defeated by Sabalenka. The Belarusian player secured her spot in the final with a hard-fought 7-6, 4-6, 6-0 victory in a showdown that lasted 2 hours and 19 minutes.
While the match thrilled fans with high drama, a reporter noted the presence of empty seats in the arena and questioned Sabalenka about the unusual sight during the post-match press conference.
The 27-year-old waved off the question with a calm yet witty response. Making it clear that she couldn’t notice the empty seats while being busy with the match, she mentioned how it can be hard for spectators to sit for such a long duration.
“I wasn’t really focusing on that, but for me, the atmosphere—I mean, I felt incredible. It was super loud, and people were cheering for both of us. I don’t know; I didn’t really see empty seats. I think maybe after the second set or something, some people left, and I can totally understand. I don’t know how they’re able to sit for so long. But I mean, I hope that for the finals it’s going to be full,” she said.
With the recent win over Świątek, the 27-year-old Sabalenka secured a position in her 6th Grand Slam final. She will now face the former US Open champion Coco Gauff for the 11th time in her career.
‘Job’ Not Yet Done for Aryna Sabalenka As She Reaches the French Open Final
After securing a commendable win over Świątek, Sabalenka not only oozed confidence but also expressed optimism about taking home her fourth major title. During a post-match interview, the Belarusian expressed joy over defeating Świątek on her most dominant surface. According to her, it was a difficult challenge to overcome.
“Iga is the toughest opponent, especially at Roland Garros, I’m proud I managed to get this win,” she said, as reported by BBC News.
She also shared her determination to win the clay court major by referring to the final showdown.
“It feels incredible, but the job is not done yet. I’m thrilled with my performance,” she added.
Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are tied 5-5 in their head-to-head record as they prepare to meet for the 11th time.
