Aryna Sabalenka Opens Up About Grief and Rivalry

As Aryna Sabalenka prepares for the US Open, she reflects on her tumultuous journey back to the top of women's tennis. Following the death of her coach, Anton Koltsov, Sabalenka faced significant emotional and mental challenges. Despite the grief, she chose to continue competing, believing it would help her separate her personal struggles from her professional life. However, she later acknowledged that this decision took a toll on her health and mental well-being, suggesting that a break might have been a wiser choice. During her time away from the court, particularly missing Wimbledon, Sabalenka focused on rehabilitation and self-care, ultimately finding positives in her hiatus. This period allowed her to recharge and enjoy life outside of tennis, which she credits for her renewed strength and focus. With the US Open approaching, her recent victory at the Cincinnati tournament has reinvigorated her confidence. Sabalenka's triumph in Cincinnati marked her first title since the Australian Open in January, where she showcased her resilience by not dropping a set throughout the tournament. Notably, she defeated world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals and secured the title against Jessica Pegula. Now ranked No. 2 in the world, Sabalenka is poised to make a strong run at the US Open, expressing her belief that she can capture her first grand slam title outside of Australia. She looks forward to continuing her rivalry with Swiatek in future tournaments.