Aryna Sabalenka explains what she was forced to do ahead of the US Open that made her ‘hungrier than ever’

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Aryna Sabalenka explains how missing Wimbledon proved to be the catalyst for her success on the North American hard courts.

The 26-year-old began the 2024 season by successfully defending the Australian Open title and made successive finals at the Madrid and Rome WTA 1000 events on clay.

But her season was derailed after Sabalenka lost to Mirra Andreeva in the French Open quarter-finals and suffering a shoulder injury soon after.

But the Belarusian returned to action with a burning desire to return to top form and peak in time for the US Open, and that is exactly what she accomplished.

How did missing Wimbledon help Aryna Sabalenka succeed at the US Open?

Just over two weeks after her French Open exit, Aryna Sabalenka entered the Berlin Open looking to get some matches under her belt before Wimbledon.

But while trailing 5-1 in her quarter-final against Anna Kalinskaya, the World number two retired due to injury and did not compete again until the Citi Open in August.

She reached the semi-finals in America’s capital before a quarter-final showing in Canada preceded back-to-back wins in Cincinnati and the US Open.

While reflecting on her most recent success, Sabalenka credited the forced break through her injury as one she needed to reset not only physically, but also mentally.

“I felt like after Wimbledon I have to use this time to recharge, reset for the hard-court season,” the three-time Grand Slam winner told the WTA podcast.

“I did a lot of rehab but I was also able to switch off and get recharged and I felt hungrier than ever before. It was really much needed that little break for me. The key is I am always trying to find positive things in every situation.”

Aryna Sabalenka finally triumphed at the US Open

After suffering multiple defeats in the US Open semi-finals and 2023 final, Sabalenka was determined to go one better in 2024.

After recovering from a set down to defeat Ekaterina Alexandrova in round three, she never looked back and stormed to the title for the first time. In the process she became the first player to win both hard court majors in the same year since Angelique Kerber in 2016.

“I’m speechless right now. It’s always been a dream of mine and finally I got this beautiful trophy,” Sabalenka said during the trophy presentation.

“If you’re really working hard sacrificing everything for your dream, you’re going to get it one day. I’m just super proud of myself. I never say that but I’m super proud of myself.

“I’m super proud of my team that no matter what, we were able to go through it and get all those beautiful trophies.”