Aryna Sabalenka lost her US Open mixed doubles partner after Grigor Dimitrov withdrew from the tournament due to an injury, and the top-ranked WTA player now has no interest in finding a replacement because she wants to be "loyal" to her original partner.
Before the start of Wimbledon, the US Open revealed the names of the teams that signed up for the mixed doubles event. One of the star-studded names on the list was Sabalenka and Dimitrov.
Dimitrov, who struggled with injury issues throughout the clay swing, recovered in time for Wimbledon - he was progressing nicely - and even had a two-set lead against Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinal. But then, the Bulgarian injured his pectoral muscle while going for a volley. The 34-year-old retired from the match and he hasn't played since.
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After the former world No. 3 officially pulled out of the US Open, Sabalenka was asked what her plans were now. The Belarusian confirmed that certain players reached out to her asking to be her mixed doubles partner in New York, but she doesn't plan on accepting any invitation.
Sabalenka 'loyal' to Dimitrov, who asked her first to play the US Open mixed doubles
Well there is a few guys who are asking, but, no, I dont think so," the WTA world No. 1 said, via Ben Rothenberg. When asked why, the 27-year-old said that she wanted to be "loyal" to the Bulgarian.
When the Sabalenka and Dimitrov pair was confirmed for the US Open, the WTA star joked that the 34-year-old ATP player "begged" her to play with him.
He (Grigor) was texting me, non-stop, begging me to play. I was like, Man, I dont want to play. But he was begging and I was like, Ok, you got it,'" the three-time Grand Slam champion said in June.
