Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked women’s tennis player, stormed back into the spotlight at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, kicking off her title defense with a commanding 7-5, 6-1 victory over former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova. The Belarusian star, fresh from a month-long break following her Wimbledon semifinal loss, not only showcased her relentless power and precision but also stole the show with a lighthearted critique of the tournament’s revamped facilities. “Oh my god, the first moment I came here, I was like, where am I?” Sabalenka exclaimed on court, her voice tinged with disbelief and amusement. Her one request? A bigger dining room to accommodate the bustling player community at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
The Cincinnati Open, a WTA 1000 event, has undergone a dramatic transformation for 2025, with a £200 million redevelopment project expanding the grounds, introducing a state-of-the-art player clubhouse, and adding a fan-friendly pavilion. Sabalenka, who claimed the 2024 title without dropping a set, was visibly stunned by the changes. “It’s an impressive job done. And just wow. Everything is so confusing,” she said, laughing. “Little by little, I’m getting used to it.” The upgraded facilities, including larger locker rooms and more spacious player areas, have created a freer, more comfortable environment. Yet, Sabalenka’s tongue-in-cheek suggestion highlighted a practical concern: “The only one request we need to make sure that the dining room is a bit bigger, because it’s so many people and just so little tables. Please, next year, make sure it’s more space in the dining room, everyone likes to eat, everyone likes to spend time there.”
Sabalenka’s victory over Vondrousova marked a strong start to her North American hard-court swing, a critical lead-up to the US Open, where she won her first title in 2024. Facing a tricky opponent in Vondrousova, Sabalenka saved an impressive 12 break points, leaning on her experience to navigate tense moments. “I played so many matches this season, so I’m quite experienced to handle those key moments,” she noted, her confidence evident. Her aggressive baseline play and powerful serve—averaging 3.5 aces per match this season—overwhelmed Vondrousova in the second set, setting up a blockbuster third-round clash with Britain’s Emma Raducanu, a rematch of their thrilling Wimbledon encounter.
The 27-year-old’s return to Cincinnati comes after a strategic break following Wimbledon, where she fell to Amanda Anisimova. “We’re just trying to manage the energy a bit better, because the schedule is really intense,” Sabalenka explained, addressing her decision to skip the Canadian Open. The downtime paid dividends, as she looked sharp and focused against Vondrousova, winning 91% of her first-serve points. Her dominance in Cincinnati last year, culminating in a 6-3, 7-5 final win over Jessica Pegula, has made her the player to beat, with a 48-9 record in 2025 and three titles already under her belt in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid.
Off the court, Sabalenka’s charm and humor shone through as she marveled at the transformed venue. “Honestly, when I first came here I was like, ‘what’s going on?’ It took me a little while to feel comfortable,” she admitted. The expanded 12-day format and 96-player draw have elevated the Cincinnati Open to a premier stop on the WTA tour, but Sabalenka’s playful plea for a larger dining area reflects the human side of the sport’s elite. With a new coaching addition, Max Mirnyi, joining her team for the hard-court swing, Sabalenka is poised to build momentum for New York. Her next test against Raducanu, who’s riding a wave of form under new coach Francisco Roig, promises to be a highlight of the tournament. As Sabalenka put it, “I’m building some momentum,” and with her blend of power, poise, and personality, she’s ready to dominate both on and off the court.
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