Aryna Sabalenka fielded a number of challenging questions during her pre-tournament press conference at the 2026 Italian Open, prompting her attempt to use an unexpected interruption by Iga Świątek to her advantage. The pair engaged in an amusing interaction, though Sabalenka ultimately had to tackle the tough questions on her own.
Aryna Sabalenka Asks Iga Świątek for Help With Difficult Question
While addressing the media at the WTA 1000 event in Rome, Sabalenka was asked why there are “so many ups and downs” in women’s matches, resulting in unusual scorelines like 6-1, 1-6, 6-1. The journalist questioned whether the momentum swings reflected the high level on the WTA Tour or the players’ emotional intensity.
As the world No. 1 pondered her answer, Świątek unexpectedly crashed her press conference, leading Sabalenka to put the Pole on the spot by asking for help with the “very difficult” query.
“Well that’s a very interesting question. Do you want to help me to answer this very difficult questions? Do you want to ask next one?” the Belarusian asked.
However, Świątek didn’t stick around to help, simply wishing Sabalenka “good luck” before moving on.
“Thanks. Yeah, I definitely need that,” Sabalenka responded.
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Left to tackle the question on her own, the four-time Grand Slam champion attributed the unconventional scorelines to the high level of play in the women’s game, explaining that even a brief lapse in concentration can prove catastrophic.
“Well, that’s a very interesting question. I think maybe the level is high. I think the level, it’s pretty high. If you lose focus for one game, is gone, the set is gone. It’s not very easy to stay focused from the very beginning to the very end,” she said. “That’s the only explanation that I have, is because the level is getting higher, which requires more focus and more of a consistency and a better level. I think that’s the only explanation.”
Sabalenka also pointed to hormones as a contributing factor, saying, “Plus being a woman with the hormones changing, you can change the match. You can go from one side to another really quick. I guess that’s the only explanation I have.”
Who Will Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek Face at the Italian Open?
Following a first-round bye, top seed Sabalenka will square off against Barbora Krejčíková to commence her campaign at the Italian Open. The world No. 1 holds a 6-1 lead in their head-to-head record, including a 6-2, 6-3 victory in their most recent meeting at the 2024 Australian Open. If she extends her winning record against Krejčíková, Sabalenka will face Sorana Cîrstea or Tatjana Maria in the third round.
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Meanwhile, No. 4 seed Świątek will take on Caty McNally in the second round, entering the contest with a 2-0 winning record against the American. The Pole defeated McNally 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 when they last met at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships. A win would send Świątek into a third-round showdown with the winner of the match between Emma Navarro and Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Featuring in opposite halves of the draw, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek will both need to reach the final to reignite their rivalry in Rome.