World number one Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from the upcoming China Open after failing to fully recover from an injury sustained during her recent US Open triumph. The Belarusian star, fresh from securing her fourth Grand Slam title in New York earlier this month, confirmed that she will not compete in the WTA 1000 event in Beijing, which begins on September 24.
Sabalenka, who defeated Amanda Anisimova to claim her second consecutive US Open crown just ten days ago, revealed that the physical toll of the tournament left her with a “small injury.” While not severe, it has prevented her from preparing adequately for one of Asia’s biggest tennis events. The 27-year-old expressed her disappointment, saying she was “very sad” to miss out on playing in front of her Chinese fans.
Last year, Sabalenka reached the quarterfinals in Beijing and was widely expected to be one of the tournament’s main attractions this season. Her absence creates a notable void in the draw, especially with the WTA tour approaching its decisive final stretch of 2025. Despite her withdrawal, she emphasized her determination to focus on recovery and return to full fitness as soon as possible.
The world number one’s next target is the Wuhan Open, scheduled for October. Sabalenka is the defending champion at the final WTA 1000 tournament of the year and has made clear that reclaiming her title there is a priority. “I am going to focus on recovery, and strive to quickly return to the court at 100 percent,” she assured her fans, adding that she “can’t wait to see them soon” in Wuhan.
Sabalenka’s injury withdrawal highlights the challenges of balancing peak performance at Grand Slam events with the demanding WTA calendar. Her back-to-back US Open victories have further solidified her dominance in women’s tennis, but also underline the physical sacrifices that come with sustained success.
While Beijing fans will have to wait another year to see her compete, the world number one has promised to return in 2026. For now, all eyes will be on her recovery and her readiness to defend her Wuhan title next month, as she continues to chase further milestones in an already illustrious career.
