"I'm definitely not the favorite": Aryna Sabalenka reveals French Open expectation after Rome Open final loss

World number two Aryna Sabalenka believes she is not the favourite for the upcoming French Open. The 26-year-old is often regarded as one of the best players currently playing in the women’s singles category. Sabalenka recently participated in the Rome Open, where she finished as the runner-up after losing to current world number one Iga Swiatek in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-3.

It was the second consecutive defeat in the final of the WTA 1000 event for the Minsk-born against the four-time Grand Slam winner as she also lost in the final of the Madrid Open with a score of 7-5, 4-6, 7-6. Talking after the match, Sabalenka stated that she does not consider herself the favourite for the upcoming French Open but was also of the opinion that she will definitely not compete as an ‘underdog’.

"I'm not like underdog there,” she said. “Being No. 2 seeded, it's tough to call yourself 'underdog'. I'm definitely not the favorite probably there. But at the same time I do feel that I can actually go for it. It's 50/50, you know? But I prefer to be underdog. I really hope I'm going to make it to the final and I really hope I'll be able to get that win, if it's Iga or not. It's an amazing tournament. It's a Grand Slam. I'll just go there and fight for every point and see what happens after the tournament.”