"Proud of myself that I've been able to get to the final" - Aryna Sabalenka on her injury-marred Italian Open 2024 campaign after loss to Iga Swiatek

Aryna Sabalenka recently opened up about her injury-plagued Italian Open 2024 campaign. She expressed that she was "proud" of herself despite losing to Iga Swiatek in the final.

Swiatek defeated Sabalenka 6-2, 6-3 in an hour and 29 minutes to lift the title in Rome. This marked the Pole's eighth win over Sabalenka in 11 encounters between the two. Swiatek had also previously defeated the World No.2 in the final of the 2024 Madrid Open after triumphing 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7).

Sabalenka's journey to the championship match was paved with victories over Katie Volynets, Dayana Yastremska, Elina Svitolina, Jelena Ostapenko in the quarterfinals, and Danielle Collins in the semifinals.

During the post-match press conference, the Belarusian talked about the back injury she had been battling throughout the Italian Open, which influenced her gameplay strategy. She revealed that her back problem had prompted her to be cautious in order to to avoid exacerbating the injury before the upcoming 2024 French Open.

"Well, when you have some sort of injury and you're trying to recovery during the tournament, anyways it stays in the back of your mind. You try to kind of, like, protect your body a little bit. So probably in some points there was moments where I could push myself a little bit more but I didn't want to get injured before Roland Garros, so..." Sabalenka said.

Aryna Sabalenka, however, did not blame her loss in the final to Iga Swiatek to her injury and commended her resilience in being able to reach the final despite facing health challenges.

"It's kind of like affecting you a little bit just by being there in the back of your mind. But I wouldn't say I lost the match today because of my back. Obviously not. I think I did pretty well here in Rome struggling with illness, then injury, lots of stuff happened. Anyway, proud of myself that I've been able to get to the final, no matter what," she added.

Sabalenka expressed her contentment with her overall performance at the Italian Open, despite falling short in the final.

"Anyway, I'm going to be positive after these couple of weeks. I went through so many things during these weeks. I'm proud that I was able to, no matter what, stay there, to keep winning, to keep fighting my way to the final. Even though it didn't go my way, I'm still happy with the result here in Rome," Sabalenka continued.

Aryna Sabalenka on French Open 2024: "Going there with the confidence that I can do well"

Aryna Sabalenka

At the aforementioned press conference, Aryna Sabalenka talked about the 2024 French Open. She said that she was excited for it as she loved the city of Paris and loved playing at Roland Garros.

"Well, I'm super excited. I love Paris. I love Roland Garros. I did well last year there. I'm super exciting going there," Sabalenka said.

Despite recent losses in the finals of the Madrid Open and Italian Open, Sabalenka stated that she is optimistic and that she would be going to the French Open with a positive mindset, believing that she could achieve success at the tournament.

"Even though I lost these two finals, I mean, I never focus on the past. No matter how many times I lose to the player, I know anyway if I'll be there, if I'll be fighting, I'll be focusing on myself, I know that I can get that win. I mean, I'm going there with the confidence that I can do well there," she added.

Last year, Aryna Sabalenka reached the semifinals at the French Open before falling to eventual runner-up Karolina Muchova 6-7, 7-6, 5-7.