Aryna Sabalenka Reveals Ulterior Motive for Italian Open Request
World number one Aryna Sabalenka has admitted that she had a hidden agenda when making a request ahead of her opening match at the Italian Open. The Belarusian tennis star secured a dominant 6-2 6-2 victory over Anastasia Potapova on Friday, getting her campaign underway in style.
According to an interview with The Express, Sabalenka benefited from special treatment, including preferential scheduling, as one of the top seeds. The three-time Major winner made the most of it, revealing that she had requested an earlier slot so she could indulge in the culinary delights on offer in Rome.
Sabalenka made a statement as she opened play on the main Campo Centrale court at 11am local time on Friday. The 27-year-old looked like she had somewhere to be, needing just 63 minutes to ease past Potapova. After booking her spot in round three, last year’s runner-up confirmed that she did indeed have evening plans, revealing that she had the benefit of choosing her match time.
"Honestly, I had a chance to play at 7pm or 11 and I chose 11," Sabalenka said during her on-court interview, as reported by The Express. "Do you know why? Because I want to go for dinner and I want to have pasta and probably pizza. I’ll definitely go out for dinner, I’ll walk around the city. I love being in Rome, it’s an incredibly beautiful place."
Sabalenka’s next match will be against Sofia Kenin, a player she leads 3-1 in their head-to-head. However, her only defeat to Kenin came in Rome two years ago. Despite this, Sabalenka will still be the favourite when they meet on Sunday, coming into this year’s Italian Open on a high. The Belarusian lifted her third Madrid trophy on Saturday, and then celebrated her 27th birthday on Monday.
After losing to Iga Swiatek in last year’s final, Sabalenka now wants to go all the way at the Foro Italico. "I’m super happy to be back in Rome, super happy with the win today. Anastasia is a tough opponent," the 27-year-old added, as quoted by The Express. "I’m happy to get through this first round and hopefully I can stay here until the very last stages."
As Sabalenka continues her campaign in Rome, she will be looking to make a deep run in the tournament. With her recent form and her ability to adapt to the Italian capital, she will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with. As The Express reported, Sabalenka’s request for an earlier slot may have been motivated by her desire to enjoy the local cuisine, but it could also prove to be a shrewd tactical move as she bids to claim the title.
