"I'm gonna get you" - Aryna Sabalenka banters with Iga Swiatek over her French Open intention after Pole crushes her again to win Italian Open

Aryna Sabalenka hilariously warned Iga Swiatek about her intention at the upcoming French Open after being crushed by the Pole in the final of the 2024 Italian Open.

Sabalenka and Swiatek locked horns for the second time in two weeks following their Madrid Open title clash. With that, they became the first pair to do so at the two WTA 1000 events in the same year.

Aryna Sabalenka, who came up short in her title defense in Madrid against Iga Swiatek 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7), came a cropper in the Italian Open final, too, with the World No. 1 securing a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 victory this time.

At the Madrid Open, Sabalenka, overwhelmed by the narrow defeat, initially forgot to congratulate her opponent. Correcting the mistake after her Italian Open drubbing, the World No. 2 hilariously said:

"This time I’m not gonna forget, I’m gonna start with Iga," she said during her runner-up speech, laughing.

Sabalenka praised Swiatek’s formidable form.

"Congrats on incredible couple of weeks here in Rome. Great stuff; great tennis," she said.

The two-time Grand Slam champion then jokingly warned the Pole that she intends to dethrone her at the French Open, where she's the two-time defending champion.

"And I hope we’re gonna make it to the final of Roland Garros, and I’m gonna get you there," Aryna Sabalenka said.

"Just kidding. I guess I’ll try to do better than today," she added.

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Iga Swiatek responds to Aryna Sabalenka's French Open 2024 warning after Italian Open win: "We'll see"

Sabalenka (left) and Swiatek at the 2024 Italain Open

With the Italian Open victory, Iga Swiatek improved her head-to-head record with Aryna Sabalenka to 8-3. This was the duo’s fifth claycourt final, with the Pole winning all but one (2023 Madrid Open).

During her victory speech in Rome, Swiatek acknowledged their riveting rivalry and thanked the World No. 2 for pushing her to be a better player.

"Aryna, another final, another great battle. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. Thanks for sharing the court with me and really pushing me to be better," she said.

About Aryna Sabalenka potentially ruining her three-peat at the upcoming French Open, the Pole said:

"We’ll see about that Roland Garros final," the 22-year-old noted, laughing.

Iga Swiatek won her third Italian Open title by beating Sabalenka. The World No. 1’s previous victories came in 2021 and 2022. She owns 21 career titles, including 10 WTA 1000s, four Grand Slams and the 2023 year-end championships.