Aryna Sabalenka decided not to play at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart this year.
Sabalenka completed the Sunshine Double last month, and was scheduled to begin her clay court season on the indoor clay courts of Stuttgart, where she is a four-time runner-up.
However, the world number one decided not to play the tournament, as Elena Rybakina went on to win the title in Stuttgart.
Sabalenka stated that she had suffered an injury after the Miami Open as her reason for withdrawing, and she has now suggested the real reason why she did not play in Stuttgart.
Aryna Sabalenka admits her ‘body hasn’t been cooperating’ this year
Sabalenka also withdrew from the Middle Eastern swing earlier this year after losing in the Australian Open final and has been playing a lighter schedule.
The Belarusian explained in her pre-tournament press conference at the Madrid Open that she is trying to prioritise looking after her body more this year.
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Sabalenka also admitted that her body has not always been ‘cooperating’ in the first four months of the 2026 season, but she hoped to return to Stuttgart next year.
“It was a shame for me to miss Stuttgart,” said Sabalenka. “I’ll definitely try to come back next year, but the ideal plan is perhaps to open up my schedule a bit more so I can stay healthy and be ready to show my best form in every tournament I play.
“This year my body hasn’t been cooperating at times, and I’ve needed to rest to recover, so that’s why my schedule has consisted of fewer tournaments, to do what’s right for my body. I hope to be able to show my best level every time I compete.”
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Aryna Sabalenka could make tennis history at the Madrid Open
Sabalenka will instead begin her clay court season at the Madrid Open, where she is a three-time former champion.
The 27-year-old has the opportunity to make tennis history in the Spanish capital this year, as Sabalenka could move ahead of Petra Kvitova as the first woman to win four singles titles at the Madrid Open.
Sabalenka will play her opening match against American Peyton Stearns, who she beat en route to winning the Madrid Open last year.
Some of the potential threats to Sabalenka winning her fourth Madrid Open title this year include Iga Swiatek, Jasmine Paolini, Naomi Osaka and her biggest rival at the moment, Elena Rybakina.
Sabalenka will play her opening match against Stearns on Thursday, April 23.
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