Aryna Sabalenka: Communication key to training with rivals at Roland Garros

Aryna Sabalenka has already faced some of her fiercest rivals at Roland Garros and the tournament hasn’t even begun.

The world No. 1 arrived to Paris early to maximize her preparation for the second major tournament of 2026, and has hit the practice court with the likes of Karolina Muchova—who won their 2023 semifinal on the terre battue—and Zheng Qinwen.

“I feel like nowadays we’re all better with each other, and we’re good with each other,” Sabalenka explained in a limited Media Day press conference. “We are communicating much better, and I feel like over the years, we improved in that side to go there on practice court and practice with your rivalries and to, I don’t know, be better.”

In addition to a male-led team of coach Anton Dubrov and hitting partner Andrei Vasilevski, Sabalenka frequently spars with the top women in the game, including Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina.