(Paris) Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka admitted to being “exhausted” physically and mentally on Thursday after her elimination in the semi-finals at Roland-Garros, but admitted that she was “looking forward” to returning to Wimbledon where she had been banned from participating in the last year like all the other Russian and Belarusian players.
“I’m really exhausted right now. But I think it’s only because I lost that match. And it’s normal to feel exhausted after two weeks of non-stop tennis on clay, “said the world No.2, beaten by the Czech Karolina Muchova (43rd) 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (5/7), 7-5.
“I don’t see this tournament as a negative, I’ve made huge progress on clay, this is my best result here, I’m trying to stay positive despite everything, I want to keep a positive outlook on this tournament”, she added.
Sabalenka, winner of the Australian Open in January, had never passed the third round in Paris.
“It’s been a great two weeks, emotionally challenging, but I got through it and I think it’s going to make me stronger,” she insisted.
She was particularly put in difficulty at a press conference by pressing questions about the war in Ukraine and her links with the authoritarian President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, an ally of Moscow. She had been allowed to miss two mandatory post-victory press conferences.
Asked about it again on Thursday, she refused to answer: “I don’t want to talk about politics, I’ve already said everything I have to say,” she replied.
On the court, she felt “good” and ready to fight “every chance that presented itself.”
So if she lost, it was because she faced an opponent who produced “incredible” tennis.
Thus, she served for the match at 5-2, but Muchova then “raised her level”.
“She started playing more aggressively and I lost my rhythm and was gone,” she said.
“What I’ve done so far this season is amazing and I hope to keep it that way,” she added.
And in particular, on the grass of Wimbledon since she announced with happiness that she had received her visa for the United Kingdom where the Major will take place on grass from July 3 to 16.
” I’m really looking forward. I really like playing at Wimbledon. I love the atmosphere there. I really missed Wimbledon last year. I can’t wait to get back there and play my best tennis,” she said.
In 2021, she had reached the semi-finals on the London lawn.