World number 2, Aryna Sabalenka, whose 2024 season opened in triumph at the Australian Open only for heartache and injury to intervene, has found renewed joy as she aims to close the year on a high at the US Open.
The 26-year-old from Belarus, who missed Wimbledon with a shoulder injury, won her first title since the Australian Open in January in Cincinnati last week. She posted a needed victory over world number one Iga Swiatek, and played with the hard-won enjoyment that comes from a better balance in her life.
Sabalenka’s year took a difficult turn with the death of her former boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov in March. With hindsight, Sabalenka said, she would have probably benefitted from taking some time off, rather than sticking to her planned schedule.
The enforced rest necessitated by her shoulder injury was, in fact, just what she needed. The benefits were clear in Cincinnati, where she held on through nine wasted match points to defeat Swiatek in the semi-finals. It was ideal preparation as she tries to improve on her runner-up finish to Coco Gauff in last year’s US Open final.
Sabalenka definitely felt really good after Cincinnati title. It was very important for her to get that title and to get those wins to boost her confidence.
With Additional Report: AFP
