Madrid epic gives both Swiatek and Sabalenka confidence heading into Rome final
Two weeks after their classic Madrid final, the world’s top ranked players will clash in the Rome final on Saturday
Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, Madrid 2024
Image Credit: Antoine Couvercelle / Panoramic
The Madrid final between Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka is already being voted as the Best Match of the Year. It certainly was the best of their 10-match rivalry. Now with the two set to face off in the Italian Open final, both women are feeling confident about their chances to life the title on Saturday.
Sabalenka, who held three matchpoints in Madrid before going down in the deciding set tiebreak, admits that if she finds herself in the same position on Saturday, she will try to be more aggressive rather than take a safe approach.
“Definitely if I’m going to get to the point when I’m going to stay there with the match point, I’m going to go a little bit more aggressive. I’ll just go. I’ll trust myself and go for shots instead of trying to keep in the point, just keep the ball back in. Instead of play safe, I would just go for it,” the Belarusian said after her win over Danielle Collins on Thursday.
Despite playing some of her best tennis in that final, the world No 2 is not content and revealed that she is constantly looking for ways to improve and is hoping to try a few new tricks in the Rome final.
“You always look for new things. You always try to improve lots of stuff, especially after those kind of matches like in Madrid. You always try to find something else. You always try and find some stuff to improve where you can get better so next time you’ll be able to finish the match. After Madrid we work a lot on couple of things. We’ll see. We’ll see on Saturday if it’s going to help me or not and we’ll move from there. I really have strong belief that I can get that win.”
“I’ll just focus on being present” – Swiatek looks ahead to the Rome final
Swiatek, on the other hand, said she has not had too much time to sit back and think about the epic match due to the quick turnaround into Rome.
“Honestly, I didn’t have much time to analyze it and to think about it. It’s like you win a tournament and you go straightaway to another place. It’s hard to sometimes really think about the past when you constantly have to focus on the future. I think this match gave me confidence that I can win even though I’m not feeling the best way or I’m stressed at the beginning. I can still get the score back. Maybe I’m less worried before matches because I know even if I’m going to be in trouble, I’ll be able to recover from it maybe if I’m going to work hard. This is the kind of feeling that I have,” the world No 1 said after dismissing Coco Gauff in the semis.
The Pole is not also not looking at Saturday’s match as an extension of the Madrid final, insisting that she is focused on being present as Rome is a completely different tournament.
“Honestly, I don’t think it makes sense to think about these two matches as one continuing story because totally different tournament. Well, different week, as well. It’s not like it’s going to be the same. I’ll try to be in the present, not really think about Madrid. Obviously I need to analyze this match in terms of the tactics. Not too much, as well, because it was pretty tight. I think we both could have done some things better. It’s a totally different story. I’ll just focus on being present.”
