Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka is preparing for the Cincinnati Masters, her final warm-up event before the US Open, determined to leave behind a lackluster 2026 season.
The four-time Grand Slam champion, known for her success on hard courts, including her first US Open title won two years ago, has struggled this year. She has secured only three titles, with her last victory dating back to the Miami Open in spring.
Sabalenka recently exited the Toronto tournament in the fourth round and experienced a similar outcome at Wimbledon, falling to Naomi Osaka at the same stage.
Instead of dwelling on these setbacks, the 28-year-old took time off with her fiancé and pet dog in Mykonos to recharge. Speaking ahead of Cincinnati, she said, "I wanted to stay away from tennis for a little bit so I could refresh, restart and be hungry again."
The Cincinnati event, part of the ATP-WTA Masters 1000 series, has faced delays due to heavy rain and storms, but as a seeded player, Sabalenka will begin her campaign in the second round against either Australian Talia Gibson or a qualifier.
Her approach to the tournament is straightforward: "Compete, fight and enjoy. I have no fear," she stated, emphasizing her focus on staying present and not letting past disappointments affect her mindset.
Reflecting on the summer, Sabalenka acknowledged high expectations for success but noted physical challenges hindered her performance. She remains optimistic, viewing the break between Grand Slams as an opportunity to reset without external pressure.
