Aryna Sabalenka may have a problem heading into Wimbledon this year

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

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