Aryna Sabalenka is back playing her best tennis but not before suffering an injury which caused her to miss Wimbledon.
The Belarusian was enjoying a consistent year on tour which began with her successful defence of the Australian Open title.
But since Sabalenka’s shock defeat to Mirra Andreeva at the French Open, she had been struggling physically.
The 26-year-old was left with no choice but to take some time off which has refreshed and energised her on the road to the US Open.
Does Aryna Sabalenka think getting injured and missing Wimbledon worked in her favour?
No player wants to suffer from injury and Sabalenka was devastated to miss the Wimbledon Championships in July.
The World number two suffered a shoulder injury at the Berlin Open, just over a week before the grass court Grand Slam was due to begin.
She missed several weeks of action and returned at the Citi Open on August 1 and reached the semi-finals. Sabalenka went on to win the Cincinnati Open without dropping a set.
Speaking to the Guardian, Sabalenka explained how taking some time off, albeit forced due to injury, helped her return to form in Cincinnati.
“I realised it only after I was injured and had to step back that actually it was something much needed,” she said. “It was really sad and I was struggling a lot not to play Wimbledon, of course, but at the same time I was able to take all the benefits from the time.
“I was doing a lot of rehab and treatment, but I was able to enjoy my life and my time away from tennis, and take all the good sides of not competing on tour.
“At the end I figured out that it was much needed. Now I feel physically and mentally much better and much stronger.”
Who did Aryna Sabalenka beat to win the Cincinnati Open?
After reaching semi-finals in Washington and making the last eight in Toronto, Sabalenka entered the Cincinnati Open ready to make an impression.
She did just that as she used her power to perfection on the lighting quick hard courts, and stormed to the title without losing a set.
After defeating Elisabetta Cocciaretto in straight sets, Sabalenka defeated Elina Svitolina for the third time in a row before taking out Liudmila Samsonova.
Sabalenka then dispatched World number one Iga Swiatek 6-3, 6-3 in the semi-finals and held off the challenge of Jessica Pegula in Monday’s championship match to win 6-3, 7-5.
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