Aryna Sabalenka, the accomplished Belarusian tennis player and three-time Grand Slam champion, has recently voiced her strong belief regarding the representation of female athletes in major tournaments. In her call for increased visibility and footing for women’s matches, she emphasized that female players should be “put on the bigger stage” at Grand Slam events. Sabalenka’s remarks came in the wake of her advance to the semi-finals of the French Open, where she is set to compete against Iga Swiatek, famously referred to as the ‘Queen of Clay’ due to her exceptional performance on the French courts. This matchup is particularly noteworthy, as Swiatek has been dominant in previous tournaments and is aiming for her fifth French Open title in 2023.
During her post-match press conference, Sabalenka addressed concerns related to attendance at key matches, particularly the situation where enthusiasts found an abundance of empty seats in the audience during her quarter-final clash against the Olympic champion. The contrast was stark as she noted the lack of full-capacity crowds that could potentially enhance the atmosphere and excitement of such pivotal matches. It is here that Sabalenka championed the notion that female players warrant “equal treatment” alongside their male counterparts and should be granted the opportunity to showcase their skills before larger audiences.
“I definitely think it would make more sense to move our match a little bit later,” Sabalenka articulated. Her perspective sheds light on the importance of scheduling for women’s matches, particularly highlighting that many compelling encounters take place and could be more appreciated if played in front of a larger gathered audience during evening sessions. She passionately stated, “There were a lot of great battles, a lot of great matches, which would be cool to see as the night session with more people in the stands watching these incredible battles.” Her remarks emphasize her belief that women’s tennis deserves to be viewed as an equally thrilling spectacle worthy of more significant recognition.
Despite expressing her desire for better visibility, Sabalenka also acknowledged the benefits of her earlier match finish, particularly as it grants her additional preparation time ahead of the anticipated semi-final against Swiatek. “I didn’t really look in the crowd, but it felt like it was a lot of people,” she remarked, indicating that she still enjoyed a solid turnout. Her pragmatic approach reflects her understanding of the grind that professional athletes face in preparing for high-stakes encounters.
The semi-final clash with Swiatek is particularly significant, marking their 13th meeting on the tour. Currently, Swiatek holds the edge in their head-to-head record, leading with eight wins to Sabalenka’s four. However, Sabalenka is coming off a victory against Swiatek in their most recent encounter during the Cincinnati semi-finals, reversing a three-match losing streak against the Polish star. This dynamic adds a compelling layer to their impending match, with both players aiming to leverage their previous experiences as they navigate tactics on the court.
Reflecting on her evolving relationship with her opponent, Sabalenka remarked that their communication has transformed significantly over time. Once characterized by “no communication,” they have grown closer and even shared moments in a TikTok video together, which, according to Sabalenka, marked the turning point in their interaction. “Now it’s improved,” she noted, highlighting their ongoing training collaborations and mutual respect crafted through competitive encounters.
As they prepare for this monumental match, the camaraderie that has developed between Sabalenka and Swiatek serves as a compelling backdrop to their rivalry, showcasing an attractive duality that draws in fans and enhances the sporting narrative. As anticipation builds for their semi-final clash, Sabalenka’s impassioned advocacy for women’s tennis continues to resonate, underscoring the need for further progress in elevating female athletes on the grandest stages of the sport.