Aryna Sabalenka says she is prepared to pull out of her clash against Iga Swiatek at the Italian Open if a recent back injury flares up.
The world No.2 says she is currently ‘pain-free’ but is keeping an eye on her condition after suffering the injury during her fourth round match against Elina Svitolina on Monday. Sabalenka admitted that she considered withdrawing from the tournament but having an extra day to rest between matches helped her avoid making that decision. Rome now takes place over two weeks instead of one following a revamp by the WTA in recent years.
Although with the French Open starting in just over a week, Sabalenka is eager to ensure that she is fully fit for the tournament.
“I was considering retiring from the tournament. Lucky me, I had an extra day. I was doing a lot of recovery. I’m still doing lots of exercise, treatments, and taking care of my lower back. It’s getting better. I guess we’re on the right way,” Sabalenka told reporters after beating Danielle Collins 7-5, 6-2, in the semi-finals on Thursday.
“I’m doing everything to recover as fast as I can and to be ready for Paris. Right now I’m feeling great. I’m not in pain during matches.
“Of course, if something is going to happen in the match I’m going to pull out because Paris is around the corner. Hopefully, it’s not going to happen. I feel like it’s not going to.”
The 26-year-old will need to be in top form ahead of her title showdown against Swiatek, who is currently on an 11-match winning streak. It will be the second time this month that the two have locked horns on the Tour after the final of the Madrid Open which Swiatek won in a thrilling three-set battle.
“It was a crazy injury. I thought, ‘Okay, I’m done in Rome’. But we did a great treatment, great physios,” she continued.
“I really appreciate the physio that helped me to stay alive and actually fix the problem.”
Sabalenka has won 25 out of 31 matches played so far this season. Her best result was at the Australian Open which she won for the second year in a row. She was also runner-up at an event in Brisbane, as well as Madrid.
The Italian Open women’s final is scheduled to take place on Saturday.
