The tennis calendar is brutal, relentless, and often unforgiving. Players are pushed through back-to-back Grand Slams: the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, all crammed into less than three months. For Aryna Sabalenka , the undisputed performer of the year, that pressure is even higher as she fights to stay at the top of the rankings. But that same hunger for dominance can carry a heavy price. Just like now, the Belarusian star’s campaign hits a painful pause as injury forces her out of the opening leg of the Asian swing, halting her momentum just when she seemed unstoppable.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has officially withdrawn from the 2025 China Open , set to run from September 24 to October 5, tournament organizers confirmed Tuesday morning.

In a heartfelt statement, the

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