Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked women’s tennis player, has made a bold decision to withdraw from the National Bank Open in Montreal, opting to prioritize rest and preparation for her title defense at the 2025 US Open. The 27-year-old Belarusian, who claimed her maiden US Open crown in 2024 against Jessica Pegula, cited fatigue from a demanding season as the driving force behind her choice. This move, announced just weeks after her Wimbledon semi-final loss, underscores her determination to maximize her chances at the final Grand Slam of the year, where she aims to add a fourth major title to her illustrious resume.
Sabalenka’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster of near-misses and emotional battles. Despite her commanding presence at No. 1 in the WTA rankings, with a 3,741-point lead, she has yet to secure a Grand Slam title this year. The Belarusian reached the finals of both the Australian Open and French Open, falling to Madison Keys and Coco Gauff, respectively, before Amanda Anisimova halted her Wimbledon campaign in a gripping 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 semi-final defeat. “I’m looking forward to kicking off the North American hard-court swing, but to give myself the best chance for success this season, I’ve decided it’s in my best interest to skip Montreal,” Sabalenka stated, expressing regret at missing the event while emphasizing her focus on the bigger picture. “I’ll miss my amazing Canadian fans, but I’m already looking forward to seeing you all next year. Thanks for your understanding and support — it means the world to me.”
The decision reflects Sabalenka’s awareness of the physical and mental toll of her aggressive, power-driven style. Known for her blistering forehand, which averaged 80 mph during her US Open triumph, and her ability to construct quick 1-2 points off her serve, Sabalenka has played 51 matches this year, securing three titles, including WTA 1000 events in Madrid and Miami. Her consistency is evident in her early qualification for the WTA Finals in Riyadh, a milestone she described as “impressive” despite her Grand Slam setbacks. “I lost three semis, three tough ones,” she reflected after Wimbledon, acknowledging her struggles at the All England Club, where she has yet to reach the final. “I have really more of a hate relationship right now with Wimbledon, but I really hope that one day I will turn it around and have a love relationship.”
Sabalenka’s withdrawal from Montreal, a key WTA 1000 event starting July 27, is not without precedent. She missed the tournament in 2024 due to a shoulder injury and has now chosen rest over competition to ensure peak performance in New York. Tournament director Valérie Tétreault expressed disappointment, noting, “We’re obviously disappointed that Aryna won’t be with us this year,” while highlighting the event’s enduring appeal despite the absence of its top seed. Sabalenka is not alone in her absence; world No. 10 Paula Badosa also withdrew due to a back injury, with Caty McNally and Moyuka Uchijima stepping into the main draw. The tournament will also feature an emotional farewell from Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard, who is set to retire after her final appearance on home soil.
Sabalenka’s focus now shifts to the Cincinnati Open, her next scheduled event before the US Open. Her history on hard courts, where she has won three of her four Grand Slam titles (including back-to-back Australian Opens in 2023 and 2024), makes her a formidable contender. However, her emotional volatility remains a challenge. During her Wimbledon loss to Anisimova, Sabalenka’s frustration was palpable, with screams and gestures reflecting her internal struggle. Yet, she has shown growth, learning from her controversial post-match comments after the French Open loss to Gauff, which she later called “completely unprofessional.” “I took a bit more time before doing my media just so I can be Aryna, not that crazy person on that media day at Roland Garros,” she said with a laugh after Wimbledon, signaling a more composed approach.
Fans have mixed reactions to her decision. Some praise her strategic foresight, with one supporter noting, “Smart move to prioritize the US Open—she’s unstoppable when fresh.” Others, however, express concern about her ability to overcome top rivals like Gauff and Iga Swiatek, who defeated Anisimova for the 2025 Wimbledon title. Sabalenka’s 6-5 head-to-head edge over Gauff and her desire for “revenge” in a potential Wimbledon final rematch add intrigue to her US Open campaign. As she prepares in Cincinnati, Sabalenka’s choice to skip Montreal reflects a calculated gamble to reclaim her hard-court dominance and silence doubters with a second US Open title.
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