Rested Sabalenka has high hopes leading into US Open

World number one Aryna Sabalenka expressed optimism as she prepares to compete at the U.S. Open, following a series of underwhelming performances in recent Grand Slam tournaments. The 28-year-old Belarusian had failed to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon, lost in the quarter-finals at the French Open, and ultimately lost the Australian Open final in January.

In Toronto, Sabalenka stated that she had high hopes for her return to the hard court at the Canadian Open, where she will make her opening match appearance on Tuesday.

Sabalenka acknowledged that the run-up to the U.S. Open could be challenging, especially for players who have advanced far in previous tournaments. She explained that players who have achieved success on grass courts often feel fatigued and struggle to perform at their best on hard courts. Despite her recent struggles, the Belarusian entered the tournament feeling refreshed and mentally rejuvenated after a much-needed break.

Sabalenka also mentioned that she will be competing in mixed doubles with Novak Djokovic at the U.S. Open, prior to the singles matches starting on August 30. The pair expressed enthusiasm for the tournament, describing it as both fun and intense. Sabalenka supported the WTA's updated eligibility policy, which requires players to undergo a one-time gene test to compete on the women's tour, emphasizing the importance of maintaining fairness in the sport.