My glutes and thighs are already tired," says Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka is competing at the WTA 500 in Berlin, where she will make her debut in the second round against Rebeka Masarova.

During a press conference, she discussed the short grass season and her physical condition: "I love grass, especially after the clay tour. On clay, you have to fight for every point, but on grass, everything is a bit faster, and that’s what I love.

The schedule is very tight, with little time to recover from Roland Garros, and few opportunities to ‘get a feel’ for grass before Wimbledon.

It was crucial to come here and train, to remind myself how to move on grass. It’s a challenge, it’s tough; my glutes and thighs are already tired.

I’m focusing on my body’s ability to handle lowering my center of gravity and staying low for many hours. It’s an extra effort for my legs.

We’ve learned from last year; I feel fit, strong, and I hope such a situation never happens again.