By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday, May 4, 2025
With another victory in Madrid under her belt, fans and analysts alike are pondering whether Aryna Sabalenka can transform her impressive performance in Spain into success at the French Open.
Currently sporting a 37-8 record on clay since the commencement of 2023, Sabalenka dreams of breaking her title drought outside the Caja Mágica in Madrid. She certainly has her sights set high for 2025.
“I really hope this year will be different,” she declared with a grin after clinching the title against Coco Gauff on Saturday.
With her best outing at Roland-Garros being a semifinal finish in 2023, the Belarussian feels her confidence in her clay-court abilities is growing each season.
“Honestly, my confidence on clay is at an all-time high,” she shared. “I’ve faced tough matches late in tournaments, and being so close to the finals was a learning experience. I intend to go out there, compete fiercely, and fight for every point. I’m physically and mentally ready, and I truly believe this year could be different.”
Regardless of how she performs in Rome or Paris, Sabalenka is firmly at the top of the rankings with an impressive 11,118 points—almost 4,000 points ahead of Iga Swiatek.
She joins the elite ranks of women in history, becoming only the third female player alongside Serena Williams and Iga Swiatek to accumulate over 11,000 ranking points.
WTA, 11,000-Point Club
1. Serena Williams, 13615 in 2013
2. Iga Swiatek, 11695 in 2024
3. Aryna Sabalenka, 11118 in 2025
“It’s surreal for me. I’ve dedicated my life to reach this goal, and being at the pinnacle of the rankings means a lot. It confirms that my efforts haven’t been in vain,” she expressed.
Far from just a titleholder, Sabalenka is a three-time major champion who seems poised to even double that achievement as her career unfolds.
Continuously seeking to elevate her performance, she acknowledges that her relentless dedication is key to her staying power at the top of the WTA rankings.
“As an athlete, it’s all about self-improvement, constantly evaluating your game, and dedicating time on the practice court to work on your weaknesses,” she said.
Sabalenka attributes her ongoing success to this tireless pursuit of evolution in her gameplay.
“I’ve been working diligently to refine my abilities and add variety to my game—that’s been my greatest weapon in matches,” she noted on Saturday. “I’m thrilled with the strides we’ve made.”
Without hesitation, she pinpointed her key improvements, starting with the basics.
“My movement has significantly enhanced,” she stated. “My touch game is also much better now, and I’ve gained more trust in it. It’s all about continually focusing on self-improvement.”
