Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarusian powerhouse and current world No. 1, has more than just hard-hitting groundstrokes to thank for her success. She combines dedication, thoughtful time management, and a touch of inspiration from watching fellow players to refine her game. After her decisive quarterfinal win over Magdalena Frech at the Wuhan Open, Sabalenka shared insights on how she juggles improvement and mental balance.
“When I’m on the tournament, if they show it on TV, yeah, it’s always on,” Sabalenka said, revealing how watching tennis sparks ideas for new techniques. But when off the Tour, she disconnects, focusing on recharging. “When I’m off, I don’t watch tennis because I’m trying to, like, recharge and forget about it,” she added, with a smile.
Returning to Wuhan for the first time since 2019, Sabalenka, who holds a stellar 15-0 record at the tournament, is eyeing her third Wuhan title and a place in tennis history. Today, she’ll face fourth-ranked Coco Gauff, with whom she has a close head-to-head record of 3-4. Sabalenka dominated their last match at the Australian Open, but with Gauff’s recent rise, fans eagerly await this anticipated showdown.
Sabalenka’s resilience in 2023, bouncing back from semifinal defeats at the French Open and Wimbledon and a close loss in the U.S. Open final, exemplifies her philosophy of perseverance. She cites life’s little joys—coffee, dinners with friends, and family time—as key to maintaining mental strength. Now, with her focus sharp and spirit high, Sabalenka is ready to make her mark in Wuhan once again.
