Aryna Sabalenka believes that having too many goals can weigh a player down on the professional tours.
Sabalenka feels that she plays better when she only has small and immediate goals to focus on.
The world No 3 is taking small steps in a career that has already seen her achieve incredible results.
The World No 3 defeated No 42 Yuan Yue 6-2, 6-2 in the second round of the National Bank Open on Thursday.
With the victory, she will play Katie Boulter of Great Britain on Friday (Saturday morning BST) in the third round.
“I’m better without goals,” Sabalenka said with a laugh.
“Compared to the last year, it’s a completely different situation, I would say. I mean, even ranking-wise, and last Grand Slam I wasn’t able to play — it’s different things I’m working through.
“I’m good with the small goals. And the big goals, I think everyone has the same goals, like it’s so obvious, we all have the big goals. But I think the key is to focus on the small goals, small steps.”
Following her rotator cuff injury that kept her out of Wimbledon, Sabalenka says she is certain she can play without thinking about it.
Sabalenka is participating in her second competition following a shoulder injury. Last week, she competed again and advanced to the semifinals of the Mubadala Citi DC Open. She is attempting to qualify for her first hard-court final since January this week in Montreal.
“That’s been really tricky to play the first tournament, because you are overprotective,” Sabalenka told reporters in Toronto. “You’re trying not to overdo stuff, you are protecting your shoulder, and I think that creates more tension. I was super sore in Washington, and coming here we did a lot of recovery, a lot of mobility stretches.
“Now I feel much better with my shoulder, I realize that I don’t have to protect it, that it’s done, it’s clean, I can go for it without fear that I can get injured again. Right now I feel more free on court and nothing bothering me there and it’s out of my mind, so it means that I can stay focused on the game and just compete and do my best.”
