"I love being in this position" - Aryna Sabalenka on having to defend both titles at Cincinnati and the US Open

After taking a well-deserved break following a semifinal run at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, Aryna Sabalenka will kick off her North American hard court campaign with a title defense at the Cincinnati Open.

The World No.1 was in sublime form this time last season, going on a 15-match winning streak as she won consecutive titles in Cincinnati and the US Open. Following a hectic 2025 WTA season that saw her reach two Grand Slam finals, Sabalenka opted to withdraw from the Canadian Open in order to recover.

The big-hitting Belarusian opted to travel to the Greek island of Mykonos with boyfriend Georgios Frangulis, where she refrained from too much tennis activity. Sabalenka admitted she required a much needed break, adding she really enjoyed her time off.

"The season has been really intense," said the World No.1. "It’s impossible to be on your best level every day, every week. “I thought, ‘Maybe I need to step back and take a little break, just chill, recharge and start everything all over again. It was amazing. I felt so good. Now I’m fresh and ready."

The Cincinnati defending champion kicks off her campaign with a second round meeting against former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova. When asked how she felt after her mini-break during the summer, Sabalenka admitted she felt replenished and was ready to defend her titles in Cincinnati and at Flushing Meadows.

"We’re just trying to manage the energy a bit better, because the schedule is really intense,” said the three-time Grand Slam singles champion. “It’s a really important part of the season. The US Open has always been my favorite Slam. I’m the defending champion, and I love being in this position. I really hope those lessons I learned in the previous Slams are going to help me. I really hope I’m going to get to my peak at the Open."