Aryna Sabalenka is set to begin her Asian swing at the China Open, marking her return to competition after reaching the final of the US Open. As the world No. 2, she has already secured her spot in the WTA Finals, but remains focused on enhancing her ranking as the season concludes.
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In a media session prior to the Beijing tournament, Sabalenka reflected on her recent participation at Fashion Week in Milan and the challenges she faced before arriving at the US Open final. Her runway debut offered a different experience from her usual tennis routine.
The US Open was particularly meaningful for Sabalenka, especially after a tough season on clay and grass where she struggled both physically and mentally. She reached two Grand Slam finals in 2026, but did not secure a title, losing to Elena Rybakina at both the Australian and US Opens. Despite these setbacks, Sabalenka has shown remarkable consistency on hard courts, reaching the finals of all eight hard-court Grand Slam events from 2023 to 2026, winning four titles and finishing as runner-up in the others.
Commenting on her Milan experience, Sabalenka noted it was more stressful than competing on the tennis court, but the joy afterwards made it worthwhile. "It was so stressful, but I experienced amazing excitement and happiness after I did it. It was completely different from what I do in life but it was one of my dreams," she said.
Sabalenka emphasized the importance of her preparations leading up to the US Open, recognizing that her work played a crucial role in her performance. "If someone told me after Wimbledon that I’d reach the US Open final, I wouldn’t have believed it because I struggled physically and mentally. I’m proud that I was able to build myself back up," she remarked.
As Sabalenka returns to the court in Beijing—where she has reached the quarter-finals three times—she is gearing up for her first of two WTA 1000 tournaments in the Asian swing, followed by the Wuhan Open in October. Sabalenka has enjoyed great success in Wuhan, claiming the title three times and maintaining a 20-1 record at the event.
Following her loss in the US Open final, the gap between her and Rybakina in the rankings has become a focal point as the season progresses. Sabalenka's focus is on regaining her competitive level and carrying the momentum from her recent performances into the upcoming matches.
With the China Open and Wuhan on the horizon, Sabalenka has ample opportunity to boost her ranking while continuing an impressive hard-court Grand Slam journey.