Aryna Sabalenka aims to solve Roland Garros riddle amid chaotic season

Let’s admit it, Aryna Sabalenka does not arrive at Roland Garros looking like the unstoppable force many expected. The World No.1 remains one of the strongest contenders for the French Open crown, but the aura that usually surrounds her game appears slightly fragile heading into Paris this year.

12 months ago, Sabalenka scripted one of the tournament’s biggest moments by becoming the first player since 2021 to defeat Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros. It felt like the Belarusian had finally cracked the clay-court puzzle. Yet, in what was her maiden French Open final, the dream slipped away as Coco Gauff outclassed her on the biggest stage. Sabalenka walked off court in tears, a painful image that still lingers over her Paris journey.

Her 2026 season has only added to the uncertainty. Disappointing outings in Madrid and Rome have raised questions about her rhythm and confidence on clay. While Sabalenka has already built a formidable legacy on hard courts with multiple Australian Open and US Open titles, clay still feels like unfinished business.

Paris, once again, presents both an opportunity and a test, the chance to silence doubts, rewrite the narrative and finally conquer Roland Garros.

Heading into Roland Garros, Sabalenka looks unusually unsettled. The top-ranked star, often defined by her explosive power and intimidating presence, arrives in Paris carrying more questions than answers after a surprisingly turbulent clay-court swing.

SABALENKA STRUGGLES FOR FORM

Her struggles began in Madrid, where Sabalenka suffered one of the most dramatic defeats of her season. Facing American qualifier Hailey Baptiste in the quarter-finals, Sabalenka held six match points but somehow allowed the contest to slip away. Baptiste completed a stunning comeback to win 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(6), leaving the Belarusian visibly shaken as her title defence came to an abrupt end.

If Madrid was painful, Rome felt even more alarming. At the Italian Open, Sabalenka appeared firmly in control after taking the opening set against Romania’s Sorana Cirstea. But the rhythm quickly disappeared as Cirstea turned the match around to claim a gritty 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory.

The numbers only deepen the concern. Sabalenka heads into the French Open with just four wins from six clay-court matches this season and without a single semi-final appearance on the surface.

For a player who thrives on confidence and momentum, the timing could hardly be worse. Roland Garros demands patience, composure and belief, qualities Sabalenka suddenly seems to be searching for again.

QUESTIONS OVER FITNESS

Sabalenka heads into the French Open carrying more fitness concerns than she would have liked after her troubling defeat to Sorana Cirstea in Rome. What initially appeared to be another routine victory quickly turned into a worrying physical battle.

Sabalenka was cruising early in the match, but as it wore on, her movement noticeably dipped and the firepower behind her baseline game slowly faded.

The biggest concern, however, was not just the defeat itself but Sabalenka’s visible discomfort during the deciding set. She took a medical timeout while trailing 4-3 and later admitted that lower back and hip issues had restricted her movement and rotation.

There has, however, been a more encouraging update ahead of Roland Garros. Speaking recently in Paris, the Belarusian insisted that she now feels “100 per cent” fit after focusing heavily on recovery and rest following the Italian Open.

“I struggled in the beginning of the clay-court swing physically, but right now I feel 100 per cent. We did a great recovery. We focused on recovery and made sure that I’m healed everywhere and I’m ready to go. Right now, physically I’m ready to go,” Sabalenka told reporters on Friday.

Sabalenka already proved last year, especially with her win over Swiatek, that she has the game to thrive on clay. This year offers another chance to turn that promise into her maiden French Open crown. Madrid and Rome are now behind her. And if the biggest stages truly bring out the best players, Paris is Sabalenka’s moment to remind everyone why she is World No.1.