Aryna Sabalenka confused by something tennis fans assume about her which isn’t actually true

Follow us on Google Discover

Aryna Sabalenka will have revenge on her mind at the US Open later this month after losing last year’s final.

She lost to Coco Gauff in 2023, but quickly recovered to win the 2024 Australian Open, successfully defending her title.

Gauff reacted to Sabalenka’s Wimbledon withdrawal, with the latter also missing out on the Olympics in order to prepare for the hard-court season.

It is now in full swing, with Sabalenka among the WTA stars preparing for the US Open at the Toronto Open.

The 26-year-old just made the semi-finals of the Citi Open, with the Belarusian now the second seed in Canada.

Aryna Sabalenka makes claim about her best surface

Sabalenka is certainly a hard-court specialist, with her two Grand Slam singles titles coming at the Australian Open.

But the former world number one, who now sits third in the WTA rankings, believes tennis fans have got it wrong when it comes to her best surface.

“I love to play on clay,” Sabalenka said in her pre-tournament press conference. “I don’t know why people think this is not my best surface. 

“Probably I feel better on clay than on hard to be honest. But, yeah, result wise I’m better on hard court! But clay court is different tennis, longer rallies, you need to build a point and finish a point.

“It’s definitely a good thing for the hard court where the points become shorter and faster and probably physically you’re better than on a clay court, because after playing such long rallies you feel much better playing on hard courts, so that’s what I’m taking. My physical ability is probably better.”

Aryna Sabalenka preparing for US Open challenge

Carlos Alcaraz is more comfortable on hard courts, but he has, of course, now conquered all three surfaces.

Aged just 21, the Spaniard already has four Grand Slam titles to his name, with wins at the US Open, French Open and two at Wimbledon.

READ MORE: All to know about the 2024 Toronto Open from prize money to how to watch

Sabalenka is now aiming to add to her two Grand Slams in America later this month, with a strong run in Toronto her main aim at this moment in time.

She will also be trying to work her way back to full fitness at the tournament, in which she goes straight into the second round.

But nemesis Gauff is also aiming to clinch the trophy, as are the likes of Jessica Pegula and fellow Belarusian Victoria Azarenka.