Aryna Sabalenka would not essentially agree that she has an early benefit for the US Open as a result of she is skipping the Paris Olympics as the present world No. 3 highlights she expects the likes of Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff to be totally prepared when the time comes for the ultimate Grand Slam of the yr.
This week, Sabalenka is slated to return to motion after harm and kick off her summer time on onerous courts at a WTA 500 in Washington. Whereas Sabalenka is already in the US, Swiatek and Gauff are competing on the clay courts of Roland Garros since they’re collaborating within the ongoing Olympics. In the meantime, Elena Rybakina was additionally scheduled to play in Paris however she needed to withdraw late as a result of an sickness.
When Sabalenka introduced her Olympic withdrawal, she mentioned it was “an excessive amount of of the schedule.” And reality to be informed, the Belarusian wasn’t the one participant who skipped the Olympics as a result of she did not need to go rapidly from grass to clay after which from clay to onerous.
Whereas Sabalenka thinks she made the correct choice, she would not need to assume that Swiatek and Gauff are or will probably be behind her in preparation for the US Open.
“It is nonetheless solution to go to the US Open. I really feel like they going to be prepared, In all probability they will simply take a break. They are not going to play no matter,” Sabalenka underlined.
“On the finish it was crucial for me to take a little bit break. I had actually powerful struggles ranging from March. It was a lot wanted. Mentally, I really feel extra recent and extra able to go. I will be prepared.”
Sabalenka on sustaining a shoulder harm and lacking Wimbledon
In late June, Sabalenka began her grass season by profitable her opening match in Berlin. However then, the two-time Grand Slam champion suffered a shoulder harm throughout her quarterfinal match versus Anna Kalinskaya and ended up retiring late within the first set.
Whereas Sabalenka went to Wimbledon and tried to play, in the long run she determined that it simply wasn’t price it because it may have doubtlessly jeopardized the remainder of her season. As an alternative, the 26-year-old targeted on recovering – and whereas it wasn’t a enjoyable time – a minimum of she is now totally wholesome and able to play once more.
“That was a really powerful choice as a result of I by no means pull out from the event due to the harm. Even when I used to be injured, I used to be nonetheless taking part in. I used to be nonetheless struggling, however with the ability to play. It was my first expertise like that,” Sabalenka mentioned.
“However I made a decision to deal with my well being, to do a correct rehab, get again stronger. So the restoration was very powerful one as a result of for 2 weeks I used to be doing rehab, like loads of workouts, loads of remedies, loads of restoration stuff.”
Sabalenka will get sincere on why she determined to come back to Washington
For Sabalenka, this will probably be her second Washington look and likewise her first in seven years. Beforehand, Sabalenka made the Washington round-of-16 in her debut in 2017 earlier than dropping to Sabine Lisicki.
When requested about coming to Washington, Sabalenka acknowledged that she hasn’t performed any matches on 40 days and famous that she must construct her recreation and confidence again.
“I am right here as a result of I obtained injured and I have never performed for some time. I felt like I have to construct my confidence again and construct my degree again earlier than going to the US Open. So I have to play some matches and that is why I am right here,” Sabalenka mentioned.
Not solely that Sabalenka was out of motion for an prolonged time, she additionally did not contact a racket for 15 days at one level as a result of she was solely targeted on her health.
“It felt like the entire day I have been doing workouts. It feels prefer it’s truly time to change off, however you are still understanding, nonetheless doing one thing. It was very powerful,” Sabalenka mentioned.
However after performing some main work in Florida, the world No. 3 feels prepared for what’s to come back throughout this yr’s North American hard-court swing.
“I really feel like bodily I am well-prepared after Florida. Hopefully this harm won’t ever trouble me once more and I am going to be capable of play the subsequent Grand Slam, which is my favourite one. I actually need to do nicely there,” Sabalenka mentioned.
In the meantime, Sabalenka is the top-seeded participant in Washington this week and has a first-round bye. After not having to play the primary spherical, Sabalenka will begin her marketing campaign by taking over the winner of the match between Katie Volynets and Kamilla Rakhimova.
