Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka are among the most anticipated protagonists at the Roland Garros 2024. The Kazakh and the Polish player are, together with Iga Swiatek, the Big 3 of the WTA Tour and the tennis players who are always the favorites on the eve of each tournament. Swiatek is certainly the favorite for the final victory in Paris, while Elena and Aryna will try to undermine the clay-court dominance of the Pole.
Precisely to train for the start of the Parisian fortnight, Rybakina and Sabalenka practiced together on the Philippe Chatrier court, delighting the fans and the media present on the Parisian court, and also posting a fantastic selfie together.
Below are the photos and videos shared by Tennis Letter and the Roland Garros:
Elena Rybakina & Aryna Sabalenka pose for a selfie during their practice. ✌️❤️
📸Roland Garros IG pic.twitter.com/G7drFHObgu
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 22, 2024
Elena Rybakina & Aryna Sabalenka playing a point ahead of Roland Garros.
As you can see… these two love long rallies 😂❤️ pic.twitter.com/hr7xH21N4H
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 22, 2024
Aryna Sabalenka having fun ahead of Roland Garros
“I see you” 👀😂 pic.twitter.com/CpxMvKehh0
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 22, 2024
Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka walk on court at Roland Garros to practice.
One of the most iconic rivalries in women’s tennis right now. ❤️
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 22, 2024
Elena Rybakina arrives at Roland Garros.
Hopefully she’s healthy & ready for a big tournament. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ogBNRtA5OW
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 22, 2024
Unlike the final played in Madrid, Aryna Sabalenka was unable to counter the excessive power shown by Iga Swiatek in the final in Rome. A defeat that the Belarusian doesn’t want to think about in view of the Roland Garros. Considering her back problems, Sabalenka said she was satisfied with the level expressed at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia and, even if she doesn’t believe she is the favorite in Paris, she is convinced she can achieve something good.
“I’m super excited, I love Paris and I love the Roland Garros. Last year I did well and I’m excited. Even though I lost these two finals, I never focus on the past. It doesn’t matter how many times I lose to a player, I still know that I will be ready to fight thinking of myself. I’m going to Paris with the belief that I can do well. Maybe I’m not the favorite, but at the same time I believe I can win. I hope to reach the final and win against anyone, whether we are talking about Iga or another tennis player. Today wasn’t the final I really expected. I didn’t play to the best of my ability. In any case, thoughts remain positive after these two weeks. I’m proud to have managed to fight until the final.
Even though it didn’t go the way I wanted, I’m still happy with the result achieved in Rome. I didn’t feel comfortable in the first set and I just tried to stay aggressive. If I had taken advantage of my opportunities in the second set, the match could have found another epilogue. I’ll try to do better next time. When you have some problems and try to recover during the tournament, the injury stays in your mind. But I wouldn’t say I lost today because of my back. I think I did quite well here in Rome considering that a lot has happened,” she said at the Italian Open press conference.
Rybakina, on the other hand, defending champion in Rome, withdrew a few hours before the start of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in order to arrive physically prepared in Paris.
“The player is forced to withdraw from the tournament due to illness and she will be replaced by Oceane Dodin. We wish our 2023 champion a speedy recovery,” said the organizers of the WTA 1000 in Rome.
Elena Rybakina is forced to withdraw from the tournament due to illness and will be replaced by Oceane Dodin.
We wish our 2023 champion a speedy recovery. ❤️#IBI24 | @WTA
— Internazionali BNL d’Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) May 10, 2024
“Unfortunately I don’t feel well enough to compete. I have great memories of last year and I was very keen to defend my title. Rome is so special to me and I can’t wait to return next year to win the title back and playing in front of the Italian fans,” explained Rybakina.
A few words from our reigning champ ❤️🩹#IBI24 pic.twitter.com/IjJ9gOQvLB
— Internazionali BNL d’Italia (@InteBNLdItalia) May 10, 2024