“I think I would do actually the same,” Aryna Sabalenka reacts to Iga Swiatek crying in the gym after her match against Naomi Osaka

Iga Swiatek has been known to be one of the strongest women on Tour. But, after surviving a scare in the second round of the French Open, the 23-year-old sobbed uncontrollably. Her rival Aryna Sabalenka claims she understood the emotional trauma the World No.1 went through.

For context, Swiatek was drawn to face Naomi Osaka in the second round of the French Open. The Polish star was deemed the favorite to win the match following her Madrid Open and Rome victories. However, it didn’t go as many predicted. The French Open defending champion led the first set narrowly but lost the second set.

The deciding set was difficult for her as Osaka took the ascendancy seeking to win the match. The Japanese went on to lead 5-3 with just one point away from victory, but surprisingly Iga Swiatek pulled off the biggest victory to survive with a match point 7-6 (7-1), 1-6, 7-5. Nonetheless, after the match she was overcome by her emotions as she couldn’t believe she had won the match.

Sabalenka who has already played with her twice in recent weeks understood how much of a burden she bore on the court that Wednesday evening. The Belarusian revealed that she would have done the same had she won in that manner.

I just saw a little clip of her crying, and I totally get it. It was very tough match. It was really close to lose that match. I guess she was just throwing out all those -- not negative -- but all the tension out. I think I would do actually the same. Yeah, there is a lot of pressure in tennis, but only if you focus in on that pressure.

Aryna Sabalenka said via Roland Garros Press

Meanwhile, Swiatek is into the fourth round of the Roland Garros following her victory over Czech Marie Bouzkova in straight sets.

Aryna Sabalenka beat her best friend Paula Badosa to stay in the second week of the French Open

Aryna Sabalenka defeated her best friend Paula Badosa in straight sets, as she hit 10 straight Grand Slam match victories this year. The Belarusian set aside her feelings and made sure she earned a place in the fourth round of the French Open winning 7-5, 6-1 in just one hour and 17 minutes.

Rain threatened the highly anticipated match, but Sabalenka admitted she tried her best to fight for every point despite the tough conditions.

I just tried to play my best, fight for every point. The conditions were tough so I knew that the serve isn't much of an advantage and that I could come back in this match.

Aryna Sabalenka said via Tennis Channel

The World No.2 is yet to drop a set at the 2024 French Open. She will be hoping to win her third Grand Slam after exiting the semifinals of the Roland Garros last year.

In case you missed it:

• WATCH: Angry Denis Shapovalov smashes racket on his head during tense third-round Roland Garros match against Hubert Hurkacz
• Novak Djokovic pays tribute to almost-compatriot Nikola Karabatic’s heroics to get his team across the line in a historic ending

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