French Open: Aryna Sabalenka to seek 'inspiration' and advice from Rafael Nadal on how to win French Open - 'Please, give me one!'

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Aryna Sabalenka will try and get advice from Rafael Nadal on how to win the French Open as the women's world No. 1 chases her first title at Roland-Garros. The top seed took apart Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1 6-0 in exactly an hour to open play on Court Philippe-Chatrier on day one of the 2025 edition. The Belarusian looked in total control throughout, moving into round two without breaking a sweat.

'An inspiration for me' - Sabalenka pays tribute to Nadal ahead of special ceremony

Video credit: TNT Sports

Aryna Sabalenka said that she will be hunting down Rafael Nadal for some advice on how to win the French Open.

The women's world No. 1 is aiming to earn a maiden title in Paris to add to her three-strong collection of major honours.

She made the perfect start on day one, beating Kamilla Rakhimova 6-1 6-0 in exactly one hour on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

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The Belarusian looked comfortable throughout and cruised into the second round, where she will face the winner of Jil Teichmann and Lucrezia Stefanini.

In her on-court interview afterwards, Sabalenka was asked whether she would be attending Nadal's special ceremony to celebrate the Spaniard's legacy at Roland-Garros, a place where he won the men's singles title a record 14 times in his illustrious career.

The women's top seed said yes, but also hinted that she would seek the great man out to ask his advice on how to conquer the Parisian dirt.

"Whenever someone asks me about Rafa, the first thing that comes to mind is that he was a really hard worker," Sabalenka said.

"What he achieved is through hard work, and it’s been an inspiration for me and so many young players. I’m really grateful for such a great example. I’ll be sure to try and stick around for his ceremony, and I’ll try to catch him and ask how I can win this tournament.

"Please, give me one [piece of] advice, or two!"

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Sabalenka spoke of her excitement ahead of her French Open campaign, where she is looking to reach the final for the first time in her career.

She made it to the last four in 2023, but was stunned by teenager Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals last year as she was hampered by stomach issues.

"I’m super happy to be back in Paris," Sabalenka said.

"I’m super excited for the French Open. I really hope I can do really good here. The first match is a tricky one, particularly when you play someone you like. She’s a really nice person, but I’m super happy to be through to the next round."

'She's the clear favourite' - Sabalenka impresses experts with first-round demolition

Video credit: TNT Sports

TNT Sports expert Mats Wilander said that Sabalenka was the "clear favourite" in the women's draw, with four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek out of sorts arriving in Paris for her title defence.

"That was very quick," Wilander said.

"Everything was working very well. She served unbelievably well. It’s a sign that to beat Sabalenka, it’s not enough anymore to hope that she’s going to play bad, because she doesn’t play bad anymore. She’s the clear favourite from now on.

"We know that she’s got the power, but she’s so accurate with her groundstrokes. She hits so close to the lines all the time, and she takes a lot of risks. I love that she played the dropshot [more].

"She’s got all the tools that the best players in the world should have. Her return game has become so much better with age. Usually, it’s the other way around, but not for her.

"Being world No. 1, you’ve got a target on your back. You’re expected to win every single match. You’re supposed to win easily early on. She’s got such a great spirit to her. She’s very happy, very ready, very positive to go. She’s the perfect No. 1, and she loves it."

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