Sabalenka targets French Open and Wimbledon titles with focused game plan

Dubai: Aryna Sabalenka isn’t one to let a defeat slide. Days after a shock loss to Ekaterina Alexandrova in Doha, the world No 1 finds herself with an immediate shot at redemption. And in a twist that even she found uncanny, the Belarusian had a hunch this rematch was coming.

The top seed’s loss in Doha has only fuelled her desire for revenge. With a keen sense of deja vu, Sabalenka couldn’t shake the feeling she would face Alexandrova again soon. Now, as they prepare to meet in the second round in Dubai on Tuesday, she’s determined to turn the tables and show the world why she’s the top player in the game.

“No joke,” she said. “Right before I saw the draw, I was like: ‘Would be cool if I go up against Alexandrova one more time.’ Then the guys sent me the draw, and I was like, ‘Oh my God. Am I a magician or something? How can I predict that? Can I see the future?’”

Sabalenka has yet to win a title in Dubai and has never gone past the quarter-finals at the Aviation Club. But she is determined to avenge her loss in Qatar.

“Will be cool to face her again. Hopefully, I’ll finish [it] a different way.”

Sabalenka had a phenomenal 2023, winning two Grand Slam titles and finishing the year as the world No 1. However, she fell short in the final of this year’s first Grand Slam, losing to Madison Keys in the final.

“There is always pressure. When you become an athlete, you agree to deal with pressure. It’s something that stays there, but I have learnt to ignore it as part of the process,” the 26-year-old said. “Of course, I want to win Wimbledon and the French Open. I’ll be building my tennis from now until the French Open and Wimbledon so I have all the tools to win those tournaments.”

The 25th anniversary of the Dubai WTA Championships has attracted 26 of the world’s top 30 players, including world No 2 Iga Swiatek, who is also seeking her first Dubai title after finishing runner-up in 2023 to Barbora Krejcikova.

Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam winner, reached the Dubai final in 2023 and the semi-final last year. Returning for a fifth consecutive year, she said she feels increasingly at home in the city and is looking forward to playing in front of a diverse crowd. She will face either Victoria Azarenka or Anhelina Kalinina in the second round.

“Every year, I have a nicer experience because it feels more like home,” said Swiatek. “I also really enjoy playing here in front of the fans — many people are coming from different countries to see the tournament. Dubai is making women’s tennis more popular, so playing in this city and this environment is something pretty exciting. I’m happy to be here.”

For Sabalenka, Dubai is more than just another tournament — it’s a stage for redemption. The second-round clash with Alexandrova is a chance to prove her mettle and claim what has eluded her so far: a Dubai title. In a field filled with world-class competitors, including the ever-dangerous Swiatek, it’s clear that Sabalenka won’t settle for anything less than a return to the top. This year, she’s ready to show that the best version of herself is just beginning to emerge.