World number one Aryna Sabalenka announced on Wednesday that she will withdraw from next week’s China Open, citing an injury sustained during her triumphant run to winning her fourth Grand Slam title at the US Open earlier this month.
The Belarusian star, who defeated Amanda Anisimova to clinch her second consecutive US Open title just 10 days ago, will miss the WTA 1000 event in Beijing, scheduled to begin on September 24.
Organizers confirmed Sabalenka’s withdrawal, stating, “Aryna has not fully recovered from the injury she sustained during the US Open and will miss the 2025 China Open.”
Sabalenka, who reached the quarter-finals in Beijing last year, expressed her disappointment on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, saying she was “very sad” to pull out after sustaining a “small injury” at Flushing Meadows.
“I am going to focus on recovery and strive to return to the court at 100 percent as soon as possible,” she added.
The 27-year-old is set to defend her title next month at the Wuhan Open, the final WTA 1000 tournament of 2025.
“I can’t wait to see my Chinese fans soon,” Sabalenka said. “I look forward to returning to Beijing next year.”
