World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka storms into last 16 with 6-2, 6-3 win over Serbia’s Olga Danilovic; reveals being criticised as a youngster by coaches who felt she wasn’t smart enough
Aryna Sabalenka celebrates a point against Olga Danilovic in Paris yesterday. Pics/Getty Images, AFP
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka may be a three-time Grand Slam winner but the Belarusian revealed Friday how she had been berated and told she would not succeed by coaches as a youngster. On Friday, top-seeded Sabalenka eased into the French Open last 16 with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Serbia’s Olga Danilovic on Court Philippe Chatrier.
‘Always motivated’
And the 27-year-old Miami-based played spoke of the cultural difference of the coaching system in Eastern Europe. “I’ve always been quite motivated and they didn’t have to push me,” Sabalenka said. “But I have heard a lot saying I’m not smart enough, that I’m stupid, and I’ll never make it, and I don’t have anything to make it to the top. I guess I want to send a quick message to them to quit their job, because honestly, I think they know nothing and they better quit just to save other players.”
The Minsk native won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2023 and 2024 and the US Open last year. She brushed aside 34th-ranked Danilovic in 79 minutes and next plays 16th-seeded American Amanda Anisimova for a place in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros. The Belarusian said she felt lucky with her coaching team. “Off court it is important to surround yourself with the right people and have fun with your crew and that’s what I’m doing,” she said.
“I am really grateful to have all of them on my team, we are like family. “When I am on court, I am a completely different person, very focused, very aggressive. On the court it is about dreams and I give my all on court.”
Swiatek advances
Meanwhile, three-time reigning champion Iga Swiatek battled past unseeded Romanian Jaqueline Cristian 6-2, 7-5 to reach the fourth round. Swiatek increased her winning run at the French Open to 24 matches as she looks to become the first woman to win four successive titles in Paris in over a century.
In another match, Zheng Qinwen qualified for the French Open last 16 for the second time with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko, who was appearing at her first Grand Slam.
This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
