The world number one Aryna Sabalenka is stepping back onto the court at the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto after a summer break. The Belarusian star, who is currently ranked number one, is hoping to regain her momentum on hard courts in preparation for her US Open title defense. Toronto represents a critical moment for Sabalenka, as her top ranking is at stake during this tournament.
Sabalenka has had a strong 2024 season, winning 23 out of 24 matches on hard courts. However, she has struggled on other surfaces, losing to Elena Rybakina in the French Open quarterfinals and to Naomi Osaka in the Wimbledon round of 16. Sabalenka admits she made some experimental adjustments in her play that didn’t go as planned, and she has now returned to fundamental training. She remains hopeful these changes will lead to better results.
After leaving Wimbledon, Sabalenka made the decision to step away from tennis for a while. She spent several days on the Greek island of Mykonos, where she found time to relax and reset. Speaking to reporters recently, Sabalenka noted that the break was necessary, and she returned to the court feeling more focused and energized. She is determined to put in the work needed to achieve her goals for the rest of the season.
Sabalenka faces a challenging draw in Toronto, facing off against third-seeded Jessica Pegula, 2024 finalist Amanda Anisimova, and the resurging Iga Swiatek of Poland. Rybakina anchors the bottom half of the bracket, competing with players such as Coco Gauff and Osaka. With Swiatek coming off a difficult Wimbledon campaign, her performance in Toronto could have a significant impact on the tournament’s outcome.
The pair have already played twice this year, with Noskova victorious both times. Meanwhile, Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova is missing from the event due to recovery from minor surgery. Reigning champion Victoria Mboko, who captured her first WTA title last year in Montreal, is also sidelined by a knee injury.
Tiring Tournament Schedule
The tournament calendar creates a tough challenge for players who performed well during the grass court season. Toronto is followed closely by the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati before the US Open begins on August 30. Sabalenka described the schedule as tricky, explaining that players who push through deep into Wimbledon often feel exhausted and may struggle to maintain top performance. However, after taking time off, she feels more prepared for the demanding stretch ahead.
First-round action got underway on Sunday, with Japanese qualifier Moyuka Uchijima moving to the second round after a 6-3, 6-4 win over Spain’s Cristina Bucsa. Czech Sara Bejlek also advanced, defeating China’s Wang Xiyu in a three-set match, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Wang was hindered by a left leg injury.