"It was a tough time" - Sabalenka details journey leading up to the US Open

Aryna Sabalenka has had a tough season so far but it all clicked this fortnight with the Belarusian in the semifinal of the US Open.

Motivation is never lacking for Sabalenka but she became even more motivated to do well at the US Open after not being able to play Wimbledon. She played really well at Wimbledon last year reaching the semi-finals and was very upset after being taken away the chance to repeat that:

“Yeah, I worked really hard. They took away one opportunity from me, and I work really hard for this one"

Expanding further on the topic, Sabalenka added:

"It was a tough time, especially when I was working out in the gym and there was Wimbledon playing on the TV. I was always turning it off because I couldn't watch it. I had a lot of good memories from there, and I miss it very much. That's why I wasn't able to watch it, because it reminded me about the great time I had there."

Up next for her is Iga Swiatek, a player who defeat her three times this year and neither of those matches were particularly close:

“It's going to be tough, and I know I have to really work hard for this win. Now I will just go there and fight for every point. She's a great player, always tough matches against her. She's moving well, hitting the ball really well, serving well. She's a tough opponent, but I'll do my best there and I'll make her work as much as I can.”