Aryna Sabalenka's commitment to preparing well for the US Open was demonstrated by her practicing in the middle of a storm in New York.
Sabalenka has not had the season she wanted in 2022. She reached two finals at the Stuttgart Open and the Rosmalen Open but lost both to Iga Swiatek and Ekaterina Alexandrova, respectively.
However, the Belarusian might take encouragement from how she played at last year's US Open. Her run to the semifinal included a victory in the quarterfinal against the 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova.
Sabalenka narrowly missed out on the final after losing the best match of the tournament against Leylah Fernandez. Despite playing at a high level, the 23-year-old fell 6-7, 6-4, 4-6.
The intensity of that epic encounter may have contributed to Fernandez's loss in the final in straight sets to Emma Raducanu. Understandably, the Canadian found it challenging to play her best tennis again after the semifinal.
Although 2022 has not gone as Sabalenka would have hoped, she remains one of the hardest workers on the WTA Tour. That was proven by the two-time Grand Slam semifinalist practicing during a storm in New York.
Sabalenka shared a brief video of her serving in the middle of the storm. She seemed unbothered by the weather, remaining focused on trying to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming US Open.
The Belarusian prepared for the year's final Grand Slam with some of her best performances of the season at the Cincinnati Open. She progressed to the semifinal before losing in three exciting sets to the Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia.
That one positive run does not prove that Sabalenka is back at her best and has overcome the struggles she has faced. However, it might be something for the hard-hitting player to build on before the US Open begins.
0 Comments