Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning champion of the Australian Open for two consecutive years, is making her return to competitive tennis at the WTA Washington Open. This comes after a month-long hiatus due to a shoulder injury. The world number three is aiming to be in top form for the US Open, which starts on August 26, alongside players participating in the Paris Olympics.
Sabalenka emphasized the importance of her recent break, stating that it was necessary after facing significant challenges since March. She feels mentally rejuvenated and ready to compete. Reflecting on her previous US Open performances, Sabalenka noted her progression to the semi-finals in both 2021 and 2022, and her appearance in the final last year, where she was defeated by Coco Gauff.
As the top seed in Washington, Sabalenka’s return to the tournament is her first since 2017. She missed the opportunity to compete in the Paris Olympics as Belarusian athletes were banned due to the country’s support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Sabalenka explained that her absence from the court was due to a shoulder injury sustained during a match in Berlin last month, which forced her to retire from the quarter-finals. This injury also led to her withdrawal from Wimbledon, despite reaching the semi-finals in her last two appearances there. She described the decision to pull out as difficult, given that she usually competes despite injuries. However, prioritizing her health, she committed to a thorough rehabilitation process to recover fully.
During her rehabilitation, Sabalenka focused extensively on fitness, spending over a week and a half off the court. She described the process as rigorous, involving numerous exercises and treatments. Her training took place in Florida’s hot and humid climate, which helped her acclimatize to similar conditions expected in Washington.
Sabalenka expressed confidence in her physical preparedness and hopes that her shoulder injury will not recur, allowing her to perform well at the US Open, her favorite Grand Slam tournament. She is eager to showcase her skills and improve on her previous performances.
