Aryna Sabalenka explains what happened when she practiced with Andrey Rublev which made her want to quit after ‘five minutes’

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Aryna Sabalenka continued her superb season at the Madrid Open, where she beat Coco Gauff to lift the trophy.

Gauff’s double fault problem came back to haunt her against Sabalenka, with the latter winning 6-3, 7-6(7-3).

Runner-up Gauff was praised by fans after she lost the final, with Sabalenka winning her third WTA title of the season.

The world number one now turns her focus to the Italian Open in Rome, where the Belarusian is the top seed.

Sabalenka has been handed a bye in round one of the WTA 1000 event, which helps continue the clay-court season.

Why Aryna Sabalenka wanted to quit after five minutes of practice with Andrey Rublev

She has, however, also been able to focus some of her efforts on the ATP Tour, having shared insight into a practice session with Andrey Rublev.

Asked ahead of the Madrid Open if she has ever played someone who hits the ball harder than her, she said: “I don’t know. I mean, maybe when I was practicing with the guys.

READ MORE: Coco Gauff shares message on social media after losing the Madrid Open final to Aryna Sabalenka

“I practice with Rublev, that was really intense. I was like, Okay, whatever, I’m done. I was done in five minutes, so, yeah.

“But, no, sometimes power is not the key. You can hit really hard but not in the right target. But, yeah, I think the guys serve stronger, obviously.”

Aryna Sabalenka shares the ‘key’ to managing the tough WTA schedule

Unsurprisingly, Sabalenka has retained a healthy lead at the top of the WTA rankings after her latest success.

Gauff has managed to climb one spot after her Madrid Open run, overtaking fellow American Jessica Pegula in third.

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Iga Swiatek meanwhile occupies second place, but her 6,773 ranking points are well behind the 11,118 of the leader.

Sabalenka was also asked about the most challenging aspect of being so consistent each and every week, particularly given the unforgiving schedule.

“I think managing your body is the most challenging,” she said. “But I have a great team, and so far, so good.

“I think that’s the most challenging. I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know. Every time I’m coming to the tournament I kind of like, I’m not thinking about the previous one.

“I’m like, Okay, whatever, we leave it there. I’m happy, we celebrate, but then I leave it there behind and I start everything over again.

“I think that’s been working really well, and I’m not staying too long in success, and also I’m not staying in some of the tough losses. Like short memory, I believe that’s the key.”