Aryna Sabalenka is all set to resume her tennis season on the grass at the German Open WTA tournament in Berlin, which is set to commence next week.
The Belarusian star has already arrived in the German capital to begin her practice before the commencement of the tournament. Last year, the World No. 1 made it as far as the Round of 16, where Russia’s Daria Kasatkina defeated her.
What Aryna Sabalenka Has Been Up to Since Her Defeat at Roland-Garros
The tournament’s official Instagram page shared a video in which Sabalenka was welcomed by tournament director Markus Zoecke. “It’s great to have you here,” Zoecke told the tennis star. The organizers greeted the World No. 1 at the airport with a bouquet.
Notably, this development comes days after Coco Gauff denied the Belarusian her first French Open. Despite dropping a tense first set in a tie-breaker, the American roared back to take the next two 6-2, 6-4.
After her three-set loss to Coco Gauff at the French Open, Aryna Sabalenka triggered a massive controversy when she appeared to downplay Gauff’s win. The World No. 1, in her post-match press conference, suggested that the wind might have played a role in her defeat.
“At 4-1 in the first set, the wind started to get stronger,” Sabalenka said. “Also, I think I was too emotional. I didn’t handle myself very well mentally today, so that’s basically it. I was making unforced errors; I have to check the stats.”
Sabalenka added, “I think she won the match not because she played incredibly, but because I made all those easy ball errors.”
The Belarusian received massive backlash on the internet following the comments, with several fans demanding an apology to Gauff. Later, Sabalenka issued a clarification on Instagram, admitting that Coco “fully deserved the win.”
“Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win,” wrote Sabalenka. “She was the better player yesterday, and I want to give her the credit she earned.”
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After the dust had settled on the situation, the tennis star flew to the scenic Mykonos island in Greece to unwind with her partner. Sabalenka is in a relationship with Georgios Frangulis, the CEO and founder of Oakberry Açaí.
The millionaire has become a familiar face in Sabalenka’s box, supporting her throughout her matches, including the French Open final.
Aryna Sabalenka Regarded as Favorite at Wimbledon by Andy Roddick
Meanwhile, Andy Roddick, a three-time finalist at Wimbledon, has regarded the Belarusian as the “absolute favorite”. Roddick suggested that, as Coco Gauff’s game is better suited to clay, Sabalenka will be the player to beat in England.
“She’s absolutely the favorite at Wimbledon,” the American, who has transitioned to a tennis punditry podcast career lately, stressed. “I’m just telling you that a lot goes right for Coco as soon as she steps on a clay court.”
Wimbledon remains the only Grand Slam where Sabalenka is yet to reach the final – she made it to the semifinals in 2021 and 2023.
