Aryna Sabalenka is due to return to action this weekend, as the Cincinnati Open gets underway.
It will mark her first match back since losing in the Wimbledon semi-finals, having opted against playing in Washington and Montreal.
Many questioned the Belarusian’s decision to avoid both of these competitions, viewing it as important that she begin her hard-court preparation as soon as possible if she is to defend both her Cincinnati and US Open titles.
However, she has now delivered a very valid reason as to why she skipped the latter of those two events in particular, taking aim at the tennis schedule in the process.
Aryna Sabalenka takes aim at the tennis schedule
Speaking at her first press conference ahead of the Cincinnati Open, she was open in explaining her absence at the Canadian Open.
Aryna Sabalenka admitted: “We’re just trying to manage the energy a bit better, because the schedule is really intense. It’s a really important part of the season. The US Open has always been my favourite Slam. I’m the defending champion, and I love being in this position.
“I really hope those lessons I learned in the previous Slams are going to help me. I really hope I’m going to get to my peak at the Open.”
“I think nowadays people know me as a player and as a person,” she said. “I feel like people know, ‘On court, she’s a great, she’s passionate, she’s focused, she’s fighting for her dream. But also, she’s fun, she’s nice, she’s chill, she’s a completely different person.’”
Aryna Sabalenka will be looking to defend her Cincinnati and US Open titles
Although taking a break is of paramount importance for tennis players, especially given how physically and mentally demanding their sport is, it will be good to see Sabalenka back in action.
After all, we have been without her and a host of other big names, after Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner all pulled out of Montreal.
The latter of that trio will have a very similar outlook to the 27-year-old though, hoping to defend both their Cincinnati and US Open titles in the coming months.
Perhaps, given that both have mimicked one another’s scheduling strategy, this will mark the best way to tackle it.
After all, the new 12-day format has effectively seen Cincinnati start before Montreal was even over. As such, despite the fact that she was the winner of the latter event, Victoria Mboko has pulled out of Cincinnati. It’s just not feasible.
