ROME, Italy—Aryna Sabalenka revealed the Internazionali BNL d’Italia is her “dream” tournament after reaching the fourth round on Sunday.
“I love Rome,” she said following a 6-4, 6-2 win over Dayana Yastremska—her first against the Australian Open semifinalist in three previous attempts. “I love the city. I feel, I don’t know, so comfortable being here. I enjoy walking around. I enjoy good food, great restaurants. I enjoy the atmosphere on the stadium.”
Of the major clay-court tournaments, Sabalenka has enjoyed her greatest successes at the faster Mutua Madrid Open, which she has won twice, and the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, where she reached three straight finals from 2021-2023.
By contrast, Sabalenka has made it to the semifinals just once in five total appearances at the Foro Italico, and endured a thudding opening-round loss to Sofia Kenin at this tournament last year after defeating Iga Swiatek to win in Madrid.
“Every time I was losing here, I was so sad,” she explained. “I felt like I lost on the Grand Slam because it was one of the dream tournaments for me to win. It’s still one of my dream tournament.”
