Aryna Sabalenka Reveals Keys to Battling the Heat at Roland Garros

The unreasonably hot weather in Paris has made it difficult for players to perform under the conditions at Roland Garros. With temperatures at about 34 °C this week, players have relied on bags of ice to cool down. But Aryna Sabalenka has been able to beat the conditions, and she’s into the fourth round of the French Open.

The humidity and scorching sun harden the clay and create a faster surface that generally favors bigger servers and more aggressive returners. Also, players who hit with topspin contain their opponents’ aggressive style. When conditions are cold and potentially damp, the balls are heavier and slower.

That means a player who has more control of their shots and can build through points relying on the slow pace of the court has more potential to win matches in such a situation. Besides that, Sabalenka has followed a familiar pattern, with early control and efficient closing phases once she establishes command of the baseline exchanges.

Even in matches where her opponents appeared to be playing at the same level as Sabalenka, she often finds a way to reassert control before marching forward with the momentum shift at Roland Garros. The World No.1 is yet to drop a set at the Grand Slam tournament, beating Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 7-5 in the third round.

The Belarusian star finished as a runner-up last year, and she’s eager to finally win the Roland Garros. Four more wins will guarantee that for Sabalenka, should she maintain her focus on the court. Speaking after her win against Kasatkina, Sabalenka explained how she overcame the humid conditions at the French Open, winning her matches easily:

On the court, I try to stay cool, putting a lot of ice on my face and legs, trying to keep my body cold. Then you don’t feel so bad moving on the court. I think it’s worse sitting under this heat, as if you’re boiling there, so playing I’m fine. Off the court, I like to spend time with my team and friends, go out for dinner, sometimes just walk around. I try to keep it simple, like watching Netflix. I think today I feel like going back to the room, getting treatment, turning on Netflix.

Sabalenka is yet to win a clay-court title this season. The 27-year-old dominated the women’s circuit in March, winning the Indian Wells and Miami Open, but has not claimed another title since then. In Madrid and Rome, she failed to reach the semi-finals, including a third-round exit at the Italian Open.

Aryna Sabalenka prepared for a tough battle against Naomi Osaka at the French Open

Aryna Sabalenka will face her first tough test at the French Open. She has had an easy early draw but will now have to overcome former Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka for a place in the quarter-finals. Osaka is currently playing incredible tennis, reaching the fourth round of the Italian Open, and has been impressive in Paris.

The Japanese star has dropped just one set at the French Open, and that happened against Iva Jovic in the third round, which she won 7-6(5), 6(3)-7, 6-4. With confident displays, she can be a big problem for Sabalenka on the court. During the aforementioned press conference, Sabalenka opened up about her upcoming match-up against Osaka at Court Philippe-Chatrier:

I feel that the last match in Madrid was very close and of high level; she really raised her level in that match. I am prepared for the battle, ready to go out there and fight for that match and for that win. Ready to do whatever it takes to win.

Sabalenka and Osaka last met at the Madrid Open fourth round. The latter won the first set before the former rallied from behind finely, winning the match 6(1)-7, 6-3, 6-2. Sabalenka leads their head-to-head record 2-1, winning their last two meetings. The only time Osaka got the better of the World No.1 was in 2018.

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