Aryna Sabalenka Returns to Competition at WTA Washington Open After Shoulder Injury

Posted : 30 July 2024

Two-time reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka returns to competition at this week's WTA Washington Open after taking a month off due to a shoulder injury. The world No. 3 is confident about her readiness for the US Open, set to begin on August 26, and believes she will be as prepared as her rivals currently competing in the Paris Olympics. Sabalenka emphasized the importance of her recent break, saying, "It was very important for me to take a little break. I had really tough struggles starting from March. It was much needed. Mentally, I feel more fresh and more ready to go. I'll be ready."

Sabalenka has had strong showings at the US Open, reaching the semifinals in 2021 and 2022 and advancing to the final last year, where she lost to American Coco Gauff. She opted to skip the Olympics to better prepare for the US hardcourt season, choosing not to compete on the clay courts of Roland Garros. Now, after extensive rehabilitation for her right shoulder, Sabalenka is eager to return to competitive play. "I'm here because I got injured and I haven't played for a while," she said. "I felt like I need to build my confidence back and build my level back before going to the US Open. So I need to play some matches and that's why I'm here."

Sabalenka, who last played in Washington in 2017, sustained her shoulder injury last month in Berlin, forcing her to retire from a quarterfinal match and subsequently withdraw from Wimbledon, where she had previously reached the semifinals. Reflecting on the decision, she said, "That was a very tough decision because I never pull out from the tournament because of the injury. Even if I was injured, I was still playing. I was still struggling, but being able to play. It was my first experience like that. But I decided to take care of my health, to do a proper rehab, get back stronger."

During her rehabilitation, Sabalenka focused on fitness, spending a week and a half off the court in hot and humid Florida, which she believes has well-prepared her for similar conditions in Washington. "It felt like the whole day I've been doing exercises," she said. "It feels like it's actually time to switch off, but you're still working out, still doing something. It was very tough. Hopefully, this injury will never bother me again, and I'll be able to play the next Grand Slam, which is my favorite one. I really want to do well there."

Aryna Sabalenka Returns to Competition at WTA Washington Open After Shoulder Injury

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