As the red clay of Roland Garros sets the stage for the 2025 French Open, Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, strides into Paris with a fire in her belly and a target on her back. The 27-year-old Belarusian, fresh off a dominant season with WTA 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid, is relishing the pressure of being the player to beat. “Knowing there is someone chasing me or, like, I have a target on my back right now, I love it,” Sabalenka declared, her words brimming with the confidence that has defined her ascent to the top of women’s tennis. As she prepares to face Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova in her opening match on May 25, 2025, Sabalenka’s blend of power, resilience, and newfound clay-court prowess makes her a formidable contender for her first French Open crown.
Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been a masterclass in consistency. With titles in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid, and finals appearances at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and Stuttgart, she has widened her lead over world No. 2 Coco Gauff by nearly 4,000 ranking points. Her commanding performances, including a third Madrid Open title, have silenced doubters who once pegged her as a hard-court specialist. “I definitely think throughout the years I improved a lot,” she said of her clay-court evolution, noting her physical strength and mental readiness. “I know I can stay in the point for how long I need. I have got everything to be a good player on clay.” Her career-best semifinal run at Roland Garros in 2023, coupled with a quarterfinal appearance last year despite a stomach illness, fuels her belief that 2025 could be her year to claim the Suzanne-Lenglen trophy.
The pressure of being No. 1 doesn’t faze Sabalenka; instead, it ignites her competitive spirit. “I take it as a challenge,” she said. “Every time I go out there, I feel like, okay, let’s go. Let’s see who is ready for the pressure moments.” This mindset has been honed through a season of highs and lows, including a quarterfinal exit to Zheng Qinwen at the Italian Open and a heart-wrenching Australian Open final loss to Madison Keys. Yet, Sabalenka’s ability to thrive under scrutiny has been bolstered by personal growth off the court. After the tragic loss of her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov in March 2024, she found solace in her relationship with Brazilian entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis, who has been a constant presence in her player’s box. “There was a really tough period where I was really happy to have him by my side, always cheering me up,” she said of Frangulis, whose Oakberry brand she endorses.
Sabalenka’s clay-court campaign is particularly intriguing given the struggles of defending champion Iga Swiatek, who has slipped to No. 5 after failing to reach a final since last year’s Roland Garros. Drawn in the same half as Swiatek, Sabalenka could face the “Queen of Clay” in a blockbuster semifinal, a matchup that promises fireworks. “It honestly doesn’t matter your ranking when you arrive in the big tournaments,” Sabalenka noted, acknowledging the unpredictability of Grand Slams where upsets are rife. Her own journey has been marked by such challenges, from a 2023 semifinal loss to Karolina Muchova to last year’s illness-plagued defeat to 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva. “I’m motivated more than I was last year,” she vowed, determined to avoid past pitfalls, including a dodgy meal that derailed her 2024 campaign. “I’m definitely not going to go for the same meal I had before that quarter-final match. The lesson is learned,” she said with a laugh.
Beyond her on-court battles, Sabalenka’s personal life has drawn attention. Her relationship with Frangulis, which went public in April 2024, has been a source of joy amid past heartbreak. After Koltsov’s death, she faced criticism for moving on, yet she remains unapologetic. “Your kind words mean so much,” she wrote to fans after his passing, carrying their support through tough times. Frangulis, a former motorsport driver and Oakberry founder, shares her drive for success, and their partnership extends to a professional collaboration, with Sabalenka designing a signature acai bowl. Their courtside moments, from Madrid to Melbourne, have endeared them to fans, though not without controversy, as Frangulis’ estranged wife cited their affair as grounds for divorce.
As Sabalenka steps onto Court Philippe-Chatrier, her focus is singular: winning the big trophies. “I think at this point of my career it’s all about winning the titles, the big trophies,” she said, setting her sights on a fourth Grand Slam title. With three majors already—two Australian Opens and a US Open—she’s chasing history, aiming to join the elite few with a Roland Garros title. Her rivalry with players like Swiatek, Gauff, and Elena Rybakina, whom she edged in a thrilling Madrid semifinal, adds intrigue to her campaign. “I heard someone screaming, ‘I want to see you on Saturday!’” she recalled of the Madrid crowd’s support, a reminder of the energy she draws from fans. As Paris beckons, Sabalenka’s love for the chase—both on and off the court—positions her as the player to watch, ready to fight for every point and silence her doubters with a clay-court masterpiece.
# Aryna Sabalenka Embraces the Chase as She Eyes Maiden French Open Title
As the red clay of Roland Garros sets the stage for the 2025 French Open, Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, strides into Paris with a fire in her belly and a target on her back. The 27-year-old Belarusian, fresh off a dominant season with WTA 1000 titles in Miami and Madrid, is relishing the pressure of being the player to beat. “Knowing there is someone chasing me or, like, I have a target on my back right now, I love it,” Sabalenka declared, her words brimming with the confidence that has defined her ascent to the top of women’s tennis. As she prepares to face Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova in her opening match on May 25, 2025, Sabalenka’s blend of power, resilience, and newfound clay-court prowess makes her a formidable contender for her first French Open crown.
Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been a masterclass in consistency. With titles in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid, and finals appearances at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, and Stuttgart, she has widened her lead over world No. 2 Coco Gauff by nearly 4,000 ranking points. Her commanding performances, including a third Madrid Open title, have silenced doubters who once pegged her as a hard-court specialist. “I definitely think throughout the years I improved a lot,” she said of her clay-court evolution, noting her physical strength and mental readiness. “I know I can stay in the point for how long I need. I have got everything to be a good player on clay.” Her career-best semifinal run at Roland Garros in 2023, coupled with a quarterfinal appearance last year despite a stomach illness, fuels her belief that 2025 could be her year to claim the Suzanne-Lenglen trophy.
The pressure of being No. 1 doesn’t faze Sabalenka; instead, it ignites her competitive spirit. “I take it as a challenge,” she said. “Every time I go out there, I feel like, okay, let’s go. Let’s see who is ready for the pressure moments.” This mindset has been honed through a season of highs and lows, including a quarterfinal exit to Zheng Qinwen at the Italian Open and a heart-wrenching Australian Open final loss to Madison Keys. Yet, Sabalenka’s ability to thrive under scrutiny has been bolstered by personal growth off the court. After the tragic loss of her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov in March 2024, she found solace in her relationship with Brazilian entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis, who has been a constant presence in her player’s box. “There was a really tough period where I was really happy to have him by my side, always cheering me up,” she said of Frangulis, whose Oakberry brand she endorses.
Sabalenka’s clay-court campaign is particularly intriguing given the struggles of defending champion Iga Swiatek, who has slipped to No. 5 after failing to reach a final since last year’s Roland Garros. Drawn in the same half as Swiatek, Sabalenka could face the “Queen of Clay” in a blockbuster semifinal, a matchup that promises fireworks. “It honestly doesn’t matter your ranking when you arrive in the big tournaments,” Sabalenka noted, acknowledging the unpredictability of Grand Slams where upsets are rife. Her own journey has been marked by such challenges, from a 2023 semifinal loss to Karolina Muchova to last year’s illness-plagued defeat to 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva. “I’m motivated more than I was last year,” she vowed, determined to avoid past pitfalls, including a dodgy meal that derailed her 2024 campaign. “I’m definitely not going to go for the same meal I had before that quarter-final match. The lesson is learned,” she said with a laugh.
Beyond her on-court battles, Sabalenka’s personal life has drawn attention. Her relationship with Frangulis, which went public in April 2024, has been a source of joy amid past heartbreak. After Koltsov’s death, she faced criticism for moving on, yet she remains unapologetic. “Your kind words mean so much,” she wrote to fans after his passing, carrying their support through tough times. Frangulis, a former motorsport driver and Oakberry founder, shares her drive for success, and their partnership extends to a professional collaboration, with Sabalenka designing a signature acai bowl. Their courtside moments, from Madrid to Melbourne, have endeared them to fans, though not without controversy, as Frangulis’ estranged wife cited their affair as grounds for divorce.
As Sabalenka steps onto Court Philippe-Chatrier, her focus is singular: winning the big trophies. “I think at this point of my career it’s all about winning the titles, the big trophies,” she said, setting her sights on a fourth Grand Slam title. With three majors already—two Australian Opens and a US Open—she’s chasing history, aiming to join the elite few with a Roland Garros title. Her rivalry with players like Swiatek, Gauff, and Elena Rybakina, whom she edged in a thrilling Madrid semifinal, adds intrigue to her campaign. “I heard someone screaming, ‘I want to see you on Saturday!’” she recalled of the Madrid crowd’s support, a reminder of the energy she draws from fans. As Paris beckons, Sabalenka’s love for the chase—both on and off the court—positions her as the player to watch, ready to fight for every point and silence her doubters with a clay-court masterpiece.
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