Aryna Sabalenka will compete at the WTA 1000 in Beijing following a difficult stretch that included losses to Elena Rybakina at the US Open, where the Belarusian also surrendered her ranking lead.
According to the source, Sabalenka’s 2026 season has been complicated by not winning a Grand Slam, which the two-time major champion described as challenging to accept. However, she expressed readiness to move forward with renewed energy.
Speaking at a press conference, Sabalenka said she entered the final part of 2026 in better physical and mental condition than in previous years. “I feel great. I’m happy to be back. I miss playing matches a little bit. I can’t wait to start the tournament,” she stated. She highlighted the US Open as a turning point where she began feeling healthier and stronger, and noted that she was enjoying tennis again after struggling during the middle portion of the season.
“I really enjoyed playing tennis. I found my mental attitude again. Physically I was also better,” Sabalenka explained. “The middle part of the season—it’s not just a feeling, it’s obvious—didn’t go very well. I had some difficulties with several things. So now I feel fresher.”
Beyond tennis, Sabalenka recently participated in Milan Fashion Week, where she walked a runway wearing a Gucci dress—an experience she described as fulfilling a lifelong dream. According to the source, she credited such experiences with helping her maintain enthusiasm for her tennis career.
“I love the fashion world. I like to have new experiences. Walking on a catwalk was one of my dreams. I feel like I ticked that box,” she said. “This kind of experience helps me a lot in my work, it allows me to feel fresh, to be enthusiastic, just to love my job as a whole.”
Sabalenka indicated optimism about the remaining tournaments on the 2026 calendar, expressing a degree of regret that the season was already in its final phase.
Key facts
- Sabalenka lost to Elena Rybakina at the US Open and surrendered the world No. 1 ranking
- She has not won a Grand Slam during the 2026 season
- Sabalenka said the middle portion of her season did not go well and she faced several difficulties
- She reported feeling healthier and stronger since the US Open
- Sabalenka walked in a Gucci fashion show during Milan Fashion Week
- She will compete next at the WTA 1000 in Beijing