What has happened to Aryna Sabalenka in Stuttgart which is being called 'odd' and not ideal for her French Open preparation

Aryna Sabalenka is yet to play her first clay court match of the season.

The world number one was victorious last time out as Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula in the final of the Miami Open.

Sabalenka was set to return in Stuttgart for her first appearance on clay in 2025, but hasn’t taken to the court as of yet.

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Entering the event as the number one seed, Sabalenka skipped the first round and advanced to the quarterfinals when Anastasia Potopova withdrew due to injury.

Therefore, with just three days left of the competition, the WTA Tour’s top-ranked player still hasn’t played her first match in Stuttgart.

Ahead of her quarterfinal clash with Elise Mertens on Saturday, many have shared their concerns as to how this week’s schedule may have harmed Sabalenka’s French Open preparations.

Mitch Michaels says Aryna Sabalenka’s schedule in Stuttgart is ‘odd’ and looks ahead to the French Open

On the Inside-In Tennis Podcast, host Mitch Michaels shared his thoughts on Sabalenka’s first clay-court tournament of 2025.

“It is crazy how the schedule works. She has a bye and a walkover,” he said.

“They are off because of the schedule, because of the rules, no tennis on Good Friday. So the final will actually be on a Monday.

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“So [Aryna] Sabalenka doesn’t play her first match in this tournament until Saturday. Hanging out in Stuttgart and going right to the quarterfinals is odd.”

Michaels explained how Sabalenka’s progression through to the quarters via walkover may have done her more harm than good.

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“I would say that for somebody whose goals are to win Roland Garros and extend her lead as the best player in the world, I think she might have preferred a match instead of that walkover,” he said.

Former Olympic Gold medalist Monica Puig agreed, giving insight into how Sabalenka will have felt this week.

“She just wants to get out there and play,” said Puig.

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“She is the Tiger. She is not this type of player who is like yes, okay, great, I can have a day to rest.

“She is not the type of player who shies away from the competition; she wants it and lives it.

“Her best self is when she is in these moments, so for her to be waiting is probably making her antsy, but she has such a great relationship with her team.

“I think off the court things are going really well for her.

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“Mentally, she seems to be in a great place, so I can only assume that everybody is just trying to keep her calm and be like you’re going to get out their eventually, so keep her calm, keep working, and do what we have to do.”

Puig reflected on Sabalenka’s progression on clay courts over recent years and how further match experience will see her continue to improve.

“Last season [Sabalenka] was really showing some great signs of playing really well on the clay,” she said.

“I feel like the clay in Madrid, for example, Rome is a little slower, but Madrid and the French Open they are faster courts, I feel like the ball zips through the air really quickly.

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“So it’s all in her favour to have success in the clay season.”

Who is joining Aryna Sabalenka in the Stuttgart quarterfinals?

The field in Stuttgart has been whittled down from 28 to eight since the tournament began five days ago.

Sabalenka will be joined in the quarterfinals by four top-ten players, including clay-court specialist and world number two, Iga Swiatek.

Top half of the draw

Bottom half of the draw

Swiatek beat Jana Fett in her Stuttgart opener, 6-2, 6-2, as she now prepares for a tough test against one of her biggest WTA rivals.

The five-time Major champion will play Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko in the quarterfinals, whom she trails in the head-to-head 0-5.

If Swiatek can finally secure her first-ever victory over Ostapenko, she’ll no doubt look ahead to a potential 13th career meeting with Sabalenka in the final.

Sabalenka will play Mertens, and Swiatek will take on Ostapenko in the Stuttgart quarterfinals on Saturday, April 19.

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