Aryna Sabalenka could be facing an issue that might become a bigger problem by the time Wimbledon rolls around this year.
Sabalenka hasn’t had the best clay court season so far, falling short of the semifinals in both Madrid and Rome. There are now only 10 days left before Roland Garros, and she may need all of that time to get herself ready.
The world number one has been dealing with lower back pain, something she admitted after her defeat to Sorana Cirstea in Rome.
Rennae Stubbs speaks up about Aryna Sabalenka’s back issue for Wimbledon
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
During a discussion about Sabalenka on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, the six-time Grand Slam doubles winner said that the Belarusian is no longer her favourite for Roland-Garros.
Stubbs also voiced concerns over Sabalenka’s back problem, pointing out that the condition could be even more of an issue on grass courts, where players need to stay low and deal with unpredictable bounces.
“Sabalenka, she’s not my favourite for the French now,” stated Stubbs. “…[Cirstea] She’s so good, she’s always been a player that hits the ball so well, she moves for her age at 36, she moves so well!”
“…So Sabalenka’s not looking great, and also having a bit of a back issue apparently. That is not good going into a major and not having the success she would have wanted to on clay.
“Also going into the grass if you’ve got a back problem it’s going to be a bit of pain in the backside because playing on grass is worse than your butt or your back.”
How Aryna Sabalenka has performed at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon
Sabalenka has yet to claim a title at either the French Open or Wimbledon, and both will no doubt be in her sights this season.
She made it to her first French Open final last year but lost to Coco Gauff despite taking the opening set. And while she’s reached three semifinals at Wimbledon, a trip to the final has eluded her so far.
Stubbs also pointed out that back problems can be especially tough on grass, where the surface demands even more from a player’s body.
Sabalenka may have had an underwhelming run on clay leading into Paris, but she’ll still go in as the top seed when play begins. The main draw of Roland-Garros starts on Sunday, May 24.
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