Aryna Sabalenka, the world number two, will be making her return to the tennis court to participate in the China Open after her recent victory at the U.S. Open. The Belarusian player expressed her desire to reclaim the top ranking in the final weeks of the season. Sabalenka, 26, secured her third Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open and is now setting her sights on the Beijing crown, especially with the absence of the current holder, Iga Swiatek, who is missing the event due to personal reasons.
After a brief stint as the world number one last season, Sabalenka was surpassed by Swiatek from Poland. Sabalenka emphasized the importance of focusing on her game and bringing her best tennis to the court in the Asian swing. She mentioned that her goal is to finish the season as the world number one player, but she is primarily concentrating on her performance in the upcoming tournaments to achieve this objective. Sabalenka expressed that earning the title of the best player in the world holds significant meaning for her.
Having already secured her spot in the season-ending WTA Finals alongside Swiatek, Sabalenka is eager to accumulate wins in the upcoming tournaments. She stressed the importance of performing well at the China Open before heading to the WTA Finals, as it will provide her with crucial match practice and momentum leading into the prestigious event. With three weeks between the Wuhan Open and the Finals, Sabalenka highlighted the significance of not facing a significant gap in competitive play ahead of the last tournament of the year.
The Beijing tournament, scheduled to take place from September 25 to October 6, will serve as a crucial opportunity for Sabalenka to continue her momentum from the U.S. Open and prepare for the season-ending WTA Finals. With her focus on reclaiming the top ranking in women’s tennis, Sabalenka is determined to deliver strong performances in the upcoming tournaments to solidify her position as one of the top players in the world. By showcasing her best tennis on court and accruing wins in the Asian swing, Sabalenka aims to conclude the season on a high note and potentially reach her goal of finishing the year as the world number one player.
