No-stress Sabalenka won't fret over lackluster 2026 results

CINCINNATI, Ohio – Former US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka is maintaining a positive attitude as she prepares for her final warm-up tournament before the Grand Slam event in New York City, despite her disappointing results in 2026. The four-time Grand Slam winner, who has claimed all of her major titles on hard courts, won in Cincinnati two years ago, setting the stage for her first US Open trophy.

However, since then, she has managed only three titles overall, with none since Miami in the spring. Sabalenka, who came to Cincinnati after an early exit in Toronto, is taking a break from tennis to refresh and restart, hoping to return hungry for the upcoming competition.

The 28-year-old, who is currently enjoying some downtime in Mykonos with her fiancé and dog, Ash, expressed her desire to stay away from tennis for a while so she can focus on her game. She emphasized the importance of the lull between Grand Slams, highlighting that there are no expectations during this period. Sabalenka sees this time as an opportunity to compete and fight without any pressure, stating, "I want to stay present and do everything I can now."

As one of the top women's seeds in the ATP-WTA Masters 1000 event, Sabalenka is favored to open her US Open campaign with a first-round bye. She will face either Australian Talia Gibson or a qualifier in the second round. Sabalenka is focused on avoiding a relapse of her recent struggles and aims to compete fearlessly. She hopes to stay present and make the most of her chances in the tournament.