Sabalenka, after her incredible shot: "I am waiting for Federer to give me some advice"

Iker Jiménez | 26 Apr 2026 | 09.21

Sabalenka, after her incredible shot: "I am waiting for Federer to give me some advice." Source: Getty

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Aryna Sabalenka continues to advance steadily in the Mutua Madrid Open 2026. The reigning champion defeated Jaqueline Cristian in the third round, in a match more competitive than the scoreboard reflected, keeping her title defense alive at the Caja Mágica.

The Belarusian, who is having a season of great consistency, will face Naomi Osaka in the round of 16 in one of the most attractive matchups in the women's draw. After the match, Sabalenka shared some interesting reflections, from her adaptation to clay to a humorous anecdote about one of the best shots of the tournament.

Start of clay court season in Madrid

"I feel that starting the clay court season in Madrid is not something so natural or easy. Due to the altitude and conditions here, it's a bit challenging. I'm still finding my rhythm and I hope that with each match, I can improve and find my best tennis on clay."

25 out of 26 victories this year

"I would say something like 'let's take it step by step and see if we can reach that'. Probably I wouldn't have believed it because it sounds crazy. But at the same time, with the planning and work on my body, we are taking more time to arrive better prepared for each tournament. So maybe I would have believed it... although it still sounds incredible."

Her one-handed backhand

"I was waiting for that question. Did you see it? It was crazy. Actually, we practice it before every training session, even with the left hand, so I've hit a few. But to do it in a match and have it as a winning shot... it's probably the shot of my life. I'm waiting for Roger to give me some advice."

Match against Osaka

"The matches we've played have always been very tough battles, at a high level. No matter the surface, it's always a fight. If I face her, it will be a great challenge and I'm excited about it."

Importance of defense

"It's very important to be able to apply pressure not only when you are well positioned, but also when you are running or defending. Being able to stay in the point and inflict damage even in those situations adds a lot of pressure on the opponent. I think it's key nowadays."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sabalenka, tras su increíble golpe: “Estoy esperando a que Federer me dé algún consejo”