Aryna Sabalenka’s 2024 tennis season has been a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with highs and lows. From winning two Grand Slam titles to struggling with injuries, Sabalenka’s journey this year has been anything but predictable. Her return to form after a shoulder injury, which forced her to pull out of Wimbledon earlier this year, has left her fans both relieved and anxious about her fitness as she prepares for the next season.
### **Injury Struggles and Recovery: The Shoulder Issue**
It all started earlier this year during the Berlin Open when Sabalenka first began to feel discomfort in her shoulder. The injury, which prevented her from participating in Wimbledon, seemed like a huge blow to a season that was shaping up to be one of the best of her career. “Hopefully this injury will never bother me again and I’ll be able to play the next Grand Slam, which is my favorite one. I really want to do well there,” Sabalenka had shared at the time of pulling out of the prestigious event. Her disappointment was palpable as the shoulder injury persisted, forcing her to withdraw from her favorite tournament.
For Sabalenka, missing a Grand Slam was uncharted territory. The Belarusian tennis star had not missed a Grand Slam tournament due to injury since 2017. “I never pull out from the tournament because of injury,” she said, “Even if I was injured, I was still playing. I was still struggling, but being able to play. It was my first experience like that.” This experience served as a wake-up call, highlighting how physical limitations can sometimes have a major impact on a player’s career, especially when dealing with the demanding schedule of a professional tennis season.
### **The Comeback: Sabalenka’s Remarkable 2024 Season**
Despite the injury setback, Sabalenka managed to bounce back in style. She played almost 70 matches this season and clinched four titles, including two Grand Slam victories—her first Australian Open title and a subsequent US Open triumph. Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, especially given the injury concerns that plagued her at various points in the year. Sabalenka’s resilience and determination to return to the top, even after such a difficult injury, showcased her elite mentality.
At the WTA Finals in Riyadh, where Sabalenka was one of the favorites, she made it to the semifinals before ultimately falling short of winning the prestigious title. Although she could not finish the year with another major victory, her achievements throughout 2024 were nothing less than remarkable. Finishing the year as World No. 1, Sabalenka has firmly established herself as one of the most dominant players on the WTA Tour.
### **A Glimpse of Concern: Sabalenka’s Shoulder Injury Resurfaces?**
However, the injury worries resurfaced recently, sparking fresh concern among fans. Sabalenka shared a brief video on her Instagram stories where she was seen receiving treatment on her shoulders. This post, featuring a quick glimpse of the ongoing treatment, quickly caught the attention of her followers. Fans were left wondering whether the shoulder injury, which had initially kept her out of Wimbledon, was making a return.
The post was also tagged with Nicholas DeLisi, a renowned Doctor of Physical Therapy who works with many players on the WTA Tour. This raised further speculation, with fans expressing concern that Sabalenka’s injury could potentially affect her performance going into the 2025 season. One fan shared the video on social media with the caption: “Jump scare on Instagram 🥲 I had forgotten about a certain shoulder problem, and now I’m terrified again. Our Number 1 better be fully healthy for the Australian Swing 🙏🏼🙏🏼.” While the video didn’t offer much in terms of details, it did ignite fears that the injury could resurface and affect her preparation for the Australian Open and the 2025 tennis season as a whole.
### **Plans for 2025: Sabalenka’s Return to Action**
Despite the recent injury concerns, Sabalenka’s resolve to come back stronger remains unshaken. She had a successful campaign in Brisbane earlier this year, reaching the final before losing to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina. However, Sabalenka’s performance at the tournament was a positive sign, showing her ability to perform at a high level, even on hard courts, as she prepared for the Australian Open.
Looking ahead to 2025, Sabalenka is slated to return to the Brisbane International, which will mark the start of her year. The tournament, scheduled from December 29 to January 5, will offer her the opportunity to begin the year with a strong performance. The Australian swing has always been significant for Sabalenka, with her eyes set on defending her Australian Open title and aiming for a third consecutive Grand Slam victory there.
Sabalenka has expressed her excitement for the upcoming season, especially after missing Wimbledon in 2024. She spoke candidly during a recent episode of “Served with Andy Roddick,” where she reflected on her frustrations regarding the injury. “I was quite frustrated I had to pull out because I felt I now probably am ready to get really far in this tournament. I have all of those tools… I felt so good going into Wimbledon, especially after the Roland Garros experience where I didn’t win a match, I felt so bad in the stomach and was so hungry to play in the Grand Slam.” Her frustration was palpable, but she also made it clear that she was looking forward to what 2025 would bring.
Her confidence is high heading into the new season, especially as she hopes to be in peak form when the next Grand Slam season starts. Sabalenka’s goal for 2025 is to continue building on her success and to add more Grand Slam titles to her tally, including her first-ever grass court major title at Wimbledon.
### **Sabalenka’s Wimbledon Dreams and the Road Ahead**
Wimbledon has always been one of Sabalenka’s goals, and after a couple of near-misses in recent years, the Belarusian is determined to take home her first Wimbledon crown in 2025. She has reached the semifinals twice (2021 and 2023) and will look to go one step further next year. After the setback of 2024, she will be hoping for a better chance at the title, with her confidence bolstered by her successes in 2024.
Sabalenka has a clear vision for her career and what she hopes to achieve. As a three-time Grand Slam champion, her goal is to continue breaking barriers, competing at the highest level, and inspiring the next generation of tennis stars. She has already proven her resilience in bouncing back from injury and competing at the top, and there is no doubt that she will be ready for the challenges ahead in 2025.
### **Conclusion: Sabalenka’s Determination for 2025**
As Aryna Sabalenka continues to recover from her shoulder injury, fans are hopeful that she will be back in top form for the upcoming season. With her determination, hard work, and confidence, Sabalenka has the potential to achieve even more in 2025. Whether it’s defending her Australian Open title, making a run at Wimbledon, or continuing her dominance on the WTA Tour, the future looks bright for this talented and driven athlete.