Sabalenka shifts focus to RG after Madrid upset

Aryna Sabalenka has shrugged off a 2-6, 6 -2, 7-6 (6) quarter-final loss at the Madrid Masters and is turning her focus to the French Open,

The world No. 1 went down to US outsider Hailey Baptiste and will now focus on the major May clay events of Rome and Roland Garros.

“Not the ending I wanted, but proud of the work I put in. We’re just getting started with clay season,” she posted on social media in the wake of the surprise loss.

The top seed who has won three Madrid titles called her defeat “a tough match. She (Baptiste) played very well, and I played well too.

“I think I had some opportunities in the third set. I felt like maybe I was a bit rushed in some points at that moment. But it’s okay; sometimes you have to learn, take the negatives from this week, and move on.”

She added: “She played some great points. I had some chances and didn’t capitalise on them. I feel she played very courageous tennis in those match point moments, and that made the difference.”

Sabalenka lost the Paris final a year ago to Coco Gauff in the final and reached the Rome quarters in 2025.

Main photo:- Hailey Baptiste by WTATennis.com