Aryna Sabalenka Says Title Would Mean The World To Her

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said winning the French Open title would “mean the world” to her and her team after the Belarusian downed Iga Swiatek to reach her first final on the Parisian clay.

Sabalenka is known as a hardcourt specialist, having won three Grand Slam titles on this surface – Australian Open (2023, 2024) and U.S. Open (2024).

But the 27-year-old proved on Thursday that she can put up a challenge on clay after defeating claycourt queen Swiatek 7-6(1) 4-6 6-0 in the semifinals, ending the Pole’s reign in the French capital, where she has won four titles.

“I’m super happy with the win today and beating Iga at Roland Garros,” Sabalenka said after her win. “It’s just something unbelievable and something I’m super proud of, and yeah, just happy to get through this difficult match.”

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Aryna Sabalenka vs Coco Gauff French Open final

Sabalenka needed two hours and 19 minutes to snap four-time champion Swiatek’s 26-match winning streak at the event. Her victory over Swiatek was her tour-leading 40th main-draw win of this season, and she has won her last five Grand Slam semifinal matches.

In Saturday’s final, Sabalenka will face second-ranked Coco Gauff of the United States, as the World No. 1 and 2 players face off in a French Open final for the first time in more than a decade.

Sabalenka and Gauff have a totally deadlocked head-to-head. They are 5-5 overall and 1-1 at Grand Slam events.

Top-ranked Sabalenka knows she would need to play her best tennis and work for the title in Saturday’s blockbuster clash.

“It’s going to mean everything to me and my team,” Sabalenka said when asked about the prospect of winning her maiden French Open title.

“Because I have to say that almost like the whole life I’ve been told where [clay] is not my thing and then I didn’t have any confidence.

“And in the past I don’t know how many years, we’ve been able to develop my game so much, so I feel really comfortable on this surface and actually enjoy playing on clay. If I’ll be able to get this trophy, it’s just going to mean the world for us,” Aryna Sabalenka concluded.