Greg Rusedski identifies key issue behind Sabalenka’s Rome exit

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The former world number four believes slow conditions and different tennis balls have disrupted the Belarusian’s rhythm during the clay swing.

Aryna Sabalenka heads into Roland Garros with questions surrounding her clay-court form after disappointing runs in both Madrid and Rome this season. Despite dominating the hard-court swing earlier in the year with titles at Indian Wells and Miami, the world number one has managed just four wins on clay so far.

Sabalenka suffered a quarter-final defeat to Hailey Baptiste at the Madrid Open before being knocked out by Sorana Cirstea in the third round of the Italian Open. While some concerns are growing ahead of the French Open, former British star Greg Rusedski believes there are clear reasons behind her struggles.

Greg Rusedski says conditions in Madrid and Rome have not suited Aryna Sabalenka

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Speaking on the ‘Off Court Cuts’ podcast, Rusedski pointed to both the tennis balls and the playing conditions as major factors behind Sabalenka’s inconsistent performances on clay this year.

“The Dunlop ball. That’s a terrible ball,” Rusedski said, before comparing it to the Wilson Roland Garros balls currently being used in Bordeaux. He also suggested that Sabalenka has struggled to hit through the slower clay courts in Rome and deal with the unpredictable bounce in Madrid.

Even with those struggles, Rusedski still believes Sabalenka could peak at the right time in Paris, insisting the women’s draw remains completely open heading into Roland Garros.

Rusedski names Sabalenka, Swiatek, Rybakina and Gauff as French Open contenders