Aryna Sabalenka’s Return to Competitive Tennis
After claiming her fourth Grand Slam title at the 2025 US Open, Aryna Sabalenka is set to make her long-awaited return to competitive tennis. The Belarusian athlete achieved an impressive feat at the US Open, dropping only a single set throughout the tournament. However, her victory in New York was followed by a month away from the sport, including a withdrawal from the China Open in Beijing due to an injury sustained during the major event.
Addressing Her Absence
As she prepares to compete at the Wuhan Open, Sabalenka addressed her absence from the circuit. She emphasized her need to prioritize recovery, stating:
“I feel good. I just didn’t want to rush my body into the tournament, so I think we made the right decision to take extra time for recovery and for preparation. Now, physically, I feel ready to go.”
Reflecting on a Successful Season
While the 2025 WTA season continues, Sabalenka reflected on her already successful year, having secured a top spot in the world rankings with a substantial lead of nearly 2,500 points and leading the WTA Race by 1,457 points. Despite having clinched just a single Grand Slam this year, her triumphs in other tournaments like Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid have led her to match last year’s total of four titles.
“I would rate my season as a pretty successful season,” Sabalenka noted, reaffirming her commitment to improving her game and maintaining her position at the top of the rankings. “The goal is to stay the same, to improve myself every day, to keep the position of world number one, to see how far I can get in this sport and how much I can win.”
Challenges Ahead at the Wuhan Open
The Wuhan Open presents a challenging field for the top seed, who is guaranteed a first-round bye. However, her draw features potential matchups against formidable opponents, including Anna Kalinskaya in the second round and fellow Grand Slam winner Sofia Kenin in the third round. If she advances, Sabalenka may face four-time major champion Naomi Osaka or 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals, making her title defense a demanding endeavor.
