Sabalenka relishing having a 'target on her back' at French Open

World number one Aryna Sabalenka says she "loves" having a target on her back as she goes into the French Open women's singles as the player to beat.

Sabalenka has extended her lead at the summit of the WTA rankings to 3,820 points to Coco Gauff, while defending Roland-Garros champion Iga Swiatek has dropped to fifth.

The 27-year-old was beaten in the Australian Open final by Madison Keys at the start of the year, but has since been in imperious form, winning two WTA 1000 titles.

Sabalenka triumphed in Miami before emerging victorious in the Madrid Open for the third time. Only Rafael Nadal (five) has collected more titles than her at the event.

She has also reached two other finals, at Indian Wells and the Stuttgart Open, losing to Mirra Andreeva and Jelena Ostapenko respectively, but still looks in fine form.

"Knowing there is someone chasing me or having a target on my back right now, I love it. I take it as a challenge," Sabalenka said.

"Every time I go out there, I feel like 'OK, let's go'. Let's see who is ready for the pressure moments.

"It's actually helping me to stay in the moment and fight, no matter what, on the court."

Top seed in Paris for the first time, world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka is ready to do herself proud on the clay. #RolandGarros
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 23, 2025

Sabalenka was stunned by Andreeva in the quarter-finals at the French Open last year, with her best run at Roland-Garros coming in 2023 when she reached the semi-finals.

"I'll definitely not be going to go for the same meal I had before that match. The lesson is learned," Sabalenka joked on Friday.

Three-time major winner Sabalenka starts her bid against Russia's Kamilla Rakhimova on Sunday.

The Belarusian has also been put in the same half of the draw as fifth seed Swiatek - meaning they could meet in the semi-finals.