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World number one Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from next week’s China Open due to an injury sustained during her US Open triumph earlier this month.
The Belarusian star, who claimed her fourth Grand Slam title by defeating Amanda Anisimova in New York just ten days ago, will not compete in the WTA 1000 event in Beijing, which begins on 24 September.
Organisers confirmed her absence on Wednesday, stating that Sabalenka has not fully recovered from the injury she picked up at Flushing Meadows. The 27-year-old, who reached the quarter-finals in Beijing last year, expressed her disappointment on Chinese social media platform Weibo, saying she was “very sad” to withdraw after suffering a “small injury” during her run to the title.
“I am going to focus on recovery, and strive to quickly return to the court at 100 percent,” Sabalenka said, adding that she is aiming to defend her title at the Wuhan Open, the final WTA 1000 tournament of 2025, which takes place next month.
“I can’t wait to see my Chinese fans soon,” she added. “I look forward to returning to Beijing next year.”
