Aryna Sabalenka says her Grand Slam year has been full of "tough lessons," and adds she is hoping that can help her make a breakthrough at the US Open and avoid finishing the season without lifting a Major title.
At the start of the season, Sabalenka came very close to pulling off an Australian Open three-peat before falling just short in a thriller three-set final to Madison Keys. A few months later, the world No. 1 made her maiden French Open final but lost to Coco Gauff in three sets despite being up by a set. At Wimbledon, the Belarusian was upset by Amanda Anisimova in the semifinal.
Just as was the case in the previous two years, Sabalenka is a strong force at the Grand Slam level. But the only difference this year is that she hasn't managed to go all the way in one yet. Now, the Belarusian is set to kick off her US Open campaign as the top seed by taking on 109th-ranked Rebeka Masarova.
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Sabalenka: I really hope those tough lessons are going to help me
Ive had a pretty good season so far in the Slams. Lost those two finals but I learnt really tough lessons. I lost in semis at Wimbledon but the consistency is there. Im just missing a little, little part. (The US Open) has always been my favorite Slam. Im defending champion, and I love being in this position," the defending champion explained.
And Sabalenka hopes to turn the negative stuff into something positive.
I really hope those tough lessons are going to help me in this one," the world No. 1 added.
Also, Sabalenka admitted that she was wrong when she made those comments about Gauff following their Roland Garros final.
I was completely wrong... it was a tough lesson, but it helped me a lot in so many different ways," the 27-year-old insisted.
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Sabalenka finished as runner-up at Flushing Meadows in 2023 before lifting her maiden title in New York last year.
