Aryna Sabalenka, the world number one, has declared herself "ready to go" following a post-US Open break, as she gears up for the final stretch of the 2025 season. After a demanding season, defending her US Open title, the Belarusian star is set to return to action at the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open, commencing on Monday, October 6.
Sabalenka's break included a vacation in Athens, Greece, with her boyfriend Georgios Frangulis, where they had a double date with Novak Djokovic and his wife.
The Wuhan Open holds significant importance for Sabalenka as she aims to solidify her bid for the year-end World No. 1 ranking. She currently holds a 1,457-point lead over her closest rival, Iga Swiatek. "This is a crucial event for her as she could take a significant step towards securing the year-end World No. 1 spot," a source notes.
Sabalenka has a rich history at the Wuhan Open, having won the title in 2018, 2019, and 2024. In 2024, she defeated Qinwen Zheng in the final. She triumphed over Alison Riske in 2019 and Anett Kontaveit in 2018. Given her impressive track record, Sabalenka aims to replicate her past success.
Before her US Open victory over Amanda Anisimova, Sabalenka withdrew from the WTA Canadian Open in Montreal, citing fatigue. She chose to prioritize her long-term performance after a stellar season, including runner-up finishes at the Australian and French Opens, semifinal runs at Wimbledon and Berlin, and titles in Madrid and Miami.
Sabalenka also withdrew from the China Open due to a minor injury sustained after the US Open. She stated, "I am going to focus on being 100% healthy for the rest of the year and I can't wait to see my Chinese fans soon! I look forward to returning to Beijing next year and wish the tournament good luck".
In late September, Sabalenka shared clips on social media from her training bloc in Greece, in preparation for her return to competition at the Wuhan Open.
Looking ahead to 2025, Sabalenka has identified areas for improvement in her game. "There are so many things to improve," she stated, noting her net game and serve. "I'm not that good with the game at the net, there are a lot of things to improve in my touch game … even my serve is not as good as I wanted it to be, so there are always gaps to improve". Despite these areas for development, Sabalenka feels "fresh and ready to go".
Tennis analysts predict Sabalenka will continue to achieve significant success in 2025. They highlight the importance of the Swiatek vs. Sabalenka rivalry and emphasize Sabalenka's relentless intensity and controlled aggression.
Sabalenka has been experimenting with vlogging, launching a YouTube channel to connect with fans and show the reality of being an athlete.
Off the court, Sabalenka humorously addressed concerns about sun damage to her skin, sharing an Instagram reel about a recent face scan. "Magical serum for my eyes because you know I'm getting old and wrinkles," she joked. She is also incorporating TikTok dances into her recovery routine to stay happy.
As the Wuhan Open approaches, Sabalenka is focused on defending her number one spot and continuing her winning streak at the event. However, Iga Swiatek is also eager to finish the season strongly, setting the stage for a compelling battle for the year-end top ranking.
