French Open 2026: Aryna Sabalenka says 'emotions were destroying my game' but 'I'm 100% ready' for Roland-Garros

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Aryna Sabalenka has insisted that she is "100%" ready for the opening round of Roland-Garros on Sunday despite "emotions destroying" her play throughout the current clay swing.

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The world No. 1 heads to the 2026 French Open - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max - without reaching a semi-final during this year's clay court campaign.

At the Madrid Open she was knocked out by Hailey Baptiste at the quarter-final stage, while she only managed a second-round appearance in Rome as Sorana Cirstea sent her home.

Despite being open about her struggles, the double US Open champion is well-prepared for her ninth Grand Slam in Paris.

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"I struggled in the beginning of the clay court [swing] physically but ⁠right now I feel 100%," Sabalenka said on Friday.

"We did a great recovery. We focused on recovery and made sure that I'm healed everywhere and I'm ready to go. Right now, physically I'm ready to go."

Sabalenka believes that her overall experience is better for her preparation than match practice, having played just six matches on clay before the major.

The Belarusian, who has claimed both the US Open and Australian Open twice, has never won the French Open and lost against Coco Gauff in last year's final.

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"I think all of us are here just for one reason, it doesn't matter if I didn't play a lot of matches on the clay court," she explained.

"I know how to play on clay and it's all about being physically and mentally healthy, to go for it, and to be ready to ‌fight."

On her preparation on clay so far this season, she added: "My emotions were destroying my game and my level was dropping dramatically when I would just start over-reacting on everything.

"And also, at the same time, my opponents would see that and they would step ⁠in and play better.

"First of all, making sure that my opponent doesn't see what's going on in my head, and at the same time, to perform better and to stay in the zone - it was a huge improvement over the ⁠years in my career and really helped me to level up."

Sabalenka will begin her bid for a French Open crown against Spanish player Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Sunday, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Sabalenka has won both previous meetings with Bouzas Maneiro, beating the Spaniard twice last season - including during her run to the Australian Open final.

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TNT Sports is the exclusive French Open broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. Coverage of every court will be available to stream live on HBO Max

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