Greg Rusedski identifies key issue behind Sabalenka’s Rome exit
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images The former world number four believes slow conditions and different tennis balls have disrupted the Belarusian’s rhythm during the clay swing. Aryna Sabalenka heads into Roland Garros with questions surrounding her clay-court form after disappointing runs in both Madrid and Rome this season. Despite dominating the hard-court swing earlier in the year with titles at Indian Wells and Miami, the world number one has managed just four wins on clay so far.
Sabalenka suffered a quarter-final defeat to Hailey Baptiste at the Madrid Open before being knocked out by Sorana Cirstea in the third round of the Italian Open. While some concerns are growing ahead of the French Open, former British star Greg Rusedski believes there are clear reasons behind her struggles. Greg Rusedski says conditions in Madrid and Rome have not suited Aryna Sabalenka Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images Speaking on the ‘Off Court Cuts’ podcast, Rusedski pointed to both the tennis balls and the playing conditions as major factors behind Sabalenka’s inconsistent performances on clay this year.
“The Dunlop ball. That’s a terrible ball,” Rusedski said, before comparing it to the Wilson Roland Garros balls currently being used in Bordeaux. He also suggested that Sabalenka has struggled to hit through the slower clay courts in Rome and deal with the unpredictable bounce in Madrid.
Even with those struggles, Rusedski still believes Sabalenka could peak at the right time in Paris, insisting the women’s draw remains completely open heading into Roland Garros. Rusedski names Sabalenka, Swiatek, Rybakina and Gauff as French Open contenders Rusedski admitted he cannot confidently pick a favourite for this year’s French Open, naming Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff among the leading contenders for the title. Rybakina already claimed the Stuttgart title during the clay season, while Swiatek appears to be rediscovering form after a coaching change earlier in the year.
Meanwhile, Gauff has impressed with her resilience, repeatedly battling back from losing positions during the European clay swing. Although Sabalenka enters Roland Garros with a modest 4-2 record on clay this season, Rusedski believes she still has the firepower to challenge for the title if she can build momentum during the opening week in Paris. The 2026 French Open is set to begin on May 24.