Aryna Sabalenka dismisses this notion about Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff

Aryna Sabalenka does not essentially agree that she has an early benefit for the US Open as a result of she is skipping the Paris Olympics as the present world No. 3 highlights she expects the likes of Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff to be totally prepared when the time comes for the ultimate Grand Slam of the 12 months.

This week, Sabalenka is slated to return to motion after damage and kick off her summer season on onerous courts at a WTA 500 in Washington. Whereas Sabalenka is already in the USA, Swiatek and Gauff are competing on the clay courts of Roland Garros since they’re collaborating within the ongoing Olympics. In the meantime, Elena Rybakina was additionally scheduled to play in Paris however she needed to withdraw late on account of an sickness. 

When Sabalenka introduced her Olympic withdrawal, she mentioned it was “an excessive amount of of the schedule.” And fact to be advised, the Belarusian wasn’t the one participant who skipped the Olympics as a result of she did not wish to go shortly from grass to clay after which from clay to onerous. 

Whereas Sabalenka thinks she made the fitting determination, she does not wish to suppose that Swiatek and Gauff are or might be behind her in preparation for the US Open. 

“It is nonetheless technique to go to the US Open. I really feel like they going to be prepared, In all probability they will simply take a break. They are not going to play no matter,” Sabalenka underlined. 

“On the finish it was crucial for me to take just a little break. I had actually robust struggles ranging from March. It was a lot wanted. Mentally, I really feel extra recent and extra able to go. I will be prepared.”

Sabalenka on sustaining a shoulder damage and lacking Wimbledon

In late June, Sabalenka began her grass season by successful her opening match in Berlin. However then, the two-time Grand Slam champion suffered a shoulder damage throughout her quarterfinal match versus Anna Kalinskaya and ended up retiring late within the first set.

Whereas Sabalenka went to Wimbledon and tried to play, ultimately she determined that it simply wasn’t value it because it may have doubtlessly jeopardized the remainder of her season. As a substitute, the 26-year-old centered on recovering – and whereas it wasn’t a enjoyable time – not less than she is now totally wholesome and able to play once more.

“That was a really robust determination as a result of I by no means pull out from the match due to the damage. Even when I used to be injured, I used to be nonetheless taking part in. I used to be nonetheless struggling, however with the ability to play. It was my first expertise like that,” Sabalenka mentioned.

“However I made a decision to care for my well being, to do a correct rehab, get again stronger. So the restoration was very robust one as a result of for 2 weeks I used to be doing rehab, like loads of workouts, loads of therapies, loads of restoration stuff.”

Sabalenka will get sincere on why she determined to return to Washington

For Sabalenka, this might be her second Washington look and likewise her first in seven years. Beforehand, Sabalenka made the Washington round-of-16 in her debut in 2017 earlier than shedding to Sabine Lisicki. 

When requested about coming to Washington, Sabalenka acknowledged that she hasn’t performed any matches on 40 days and famous that she must construct her recreation and confidence again.

“I am right here as a result of I obtained injured and I have never performed for some time. I felt like I have to construct my confidence again and construct my degree again earlier than going to the US Open. So I have to play some matches and that is why I am right here,” Sabalenka mentioned.

Not solely that Sabalenka was out of motion for an prolonged time, she additionally did not contact a racket for 15 days at one level as a result of she was solely centered on her health. 

“It felt like the entire day I have been doing workouts. It feels prefer it’s really time to modify off, however you are still figuring out, nonetheless doing one thing. It was very robust,” Sabalenka mentioned.

However after doing a little main work in Florida, the world No. 3 feels prepared for what’s to return throughout this 12 months’s North American hard-court swing. 

“I really feel like bodily I am well-prepared after Florida. Hopefully this damage won’t ever hassle me once more and I will have the ability to play the following Grand Slam, which is my favourite one. I actually wish to do effectively there,” Sabalenka mentioned. 

In the meantime, Sabalenka is the top-seeded participant in Washington this week and has a first-round bye. After not having to play the primary spherical, Sabalenka will begin her marketing campaign by taking over the winner of the match between Katie Volynets and Kamilla Rakhimova.