World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from next week’s China Open after sustaining an injury during her victorious run at the US Open earlier this month.
The Belarusian, who claimed her fourth Grand Slam title by defeating Amanda Anisimova in New York just 10 days ago, will not compete at the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing, scheduled to begin September 24.
“Aryna has not fully recovered from the injury she sustained during the US Open and will miss the 2025 China Open,” organisers confirmed in a statement on Wednesday.
Sabalenka, who reached the quarter-finals in Beijing last year, expressed her disappointment on Chinese social media platform Weibo, saying she was “very sad” to withdraw after picking up what she described as “a small injury” at Flushing Meadows.
“I am going to focus on recovery, and strive to quickly return to the court at 100 per cent,” the 27-year-old said.
Despite her absence in Beijing, Sabalenka is still expected to defend her title at next month’s Wuhan Open, the final WTA 1000 event of the season.
“I can’t wait to see my Chinese fans soon,” she added. “I look forward to returning to Beijing next year.”
