Aryna Sabalenka Opens Up on Improved Relationship with Iga Swiatek Ahead of French Open 2025 Semi-Final
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, shared candid insights into her evolving relationship with rival Iga Swiatek before their blockbuster French Open 2025 semi-final on June 5, 2025, at Roland Garros. In a press conference following her 7-6(3), 6-3 quarter-final win over Qinwen Zheng, Sabalenka revealed that their once-distant dynamic, marked by “no communication,” has warmed significantly. “Before, there wasn’t any communication, any practices with her, but now we are getting better. We get along better, and we practice more often, and we know each other quite well,” she said, per *Express.co.uk*. Sabalenka expressed excitement for their 13th career meeting, adding, “I’m super excited to go out there and to fight,” highlighting the thrill of their high-stakes battles.
The shift began during the 2024 WTA Finals, where the two started training together, as noted in a December 2024 post by @TheTennisLetter on X, where Sabalenka described their rivalry as “more chill” and urged fans to “enjoy our rivalry.” Swiatek, the defending champion and No. 5 seed, leads their head-to-head 8-4, including a 2022 US Open semi-final win, their last Grand Slam clash, per *The Athletic*. Despite Swiatek’s clay-court dominance—four French Open titles and a 26-match win streak in Paris—Sabalenka, with three majors and a 10-1 clay record in 2025, sees herself as a strong contender, per *Tennis.com*. Her playful anecdote about peeking into Swiatek’s locker in Madrid, revealing Swiatek’s stockpile of shoes compared to her own two pairs, showcased their growing camaraderie, per *Sportskeeda*.
Fans on X, like @DExpress_Sport, amplified Sabalenka’s comments, noting her “true feelings” of respect and excitement. However, some, like @TennisFan123, debated whether their newfound rapport could soften their competitive edge. Sabalenka’s confidence, bolstered by her Madrid 2025 title and tactical evolution with drop shots, contrasts with Swiatek’s pressure to reclaim her No. 1 ranking, per *Yahoo Sports*. As they vie for a final spot, Sabalenka’s openness about their improved bond adds a layer of intrigue to a rivalry that’s now as much about mutual respect as it is about supremacy.
