After two defeats in Grand Slam finals this year, Aryna Sabalenka will begin her third campaign at a major in 2025, in pursuit of clinching a maiden Wimbledon title.
Sabalenka has been given a tough draw in South West London and could potentially meet 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova in the third round.
The Belarusian will still be among the heavy favourites, however, along with Coco Gauff, who defeated her in the Roland Garros final.
After Sabalenka apologised to Gauff for her comments about the American following the conclusion of the French Open, the two top-ranked WTA stars played a practice match on Centre Court at the All England Club.
Ahead of the upcoming championships, the world number one was asked if she’d like to see her practice partner in the Wimbledon final.
Aryna Sabalenka says she wants to get revenge against Coco Gauff
Sabalenka answered: “Like, overall, I don’t really care. If I make it to the finals. I don’t care. But also, I mean, I would love to face Coco, and I mean, hopefully, I will win.
“But then it doesn’t matter what I’m gonna say there, you know, because if I win, like, of course, everyone’s gonna be like, oh, yeah, of course, you know?
“But I don’t want to lose to show that guys, I learned the lesson. I’m not gonna be like that.
“So I don’t know, in this case maybe maybe I don’t want to see Coco if I make it to the finals. But if she’s going to be there, I’m happy because I want to get revenge.”
What Aryna Sabalenka said about Coco Gauff after the French Open final
After losing the Roland Garros final, Sabalenka said: “That hurts. Especially when you’ve been playing really good tennis all week.
“If Iga [Swiatek] had beaten me the other day, I think she would have gone out today and gotten the win.
“It just hurts. I’ve been playing really well, and then in the last match, going out there and doing what I did, it hurts.”
“Honestly, it’s the worst match I’ve played in the last two months.
“I wouldn’t mind playing like that in, I don’t know, the fourth round or the quarterfinals, but in a Grand Slam final, it’s a little… not right.”
The three-time Grand Slam champion was widely criticised for her comments, but has since apologised a number of times.
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