Sabalenka Pulls Out of Montreal to Focus on US Open Push

World No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka has officially withdrawn from the 2024 National Bank Open in Montreal, a strategic move aimed at optimizing her preparation for the upcoming US Open. The WTA 1000 event in Canada is scheduled to run from August 19 to 25, serving as a key warm-up tournament ahead of the season’s final Grand Slam.

Sabalenka’s decision signals a serious commitment to her Grand Slam ambitions. She has been a semifinalist at the US Open in 2021 and 2023, and is eyeing a deeper run this year. By skipping Montreal, the Belarusian star is choosing recovery and high-performance training over additional match play.

The National Bank Open, part of the US Open Series, is a joint ATP/WTA event that traditionally features a stacked field of top-ranked players. With Sabalenka’s absence, the women’s draw opens up for other contenders to gain form and confidence heading into Flushing Meadows.

So far in 2024, Sabalenka has delivered a strong season, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the Australian Open, as well as consistent performances across the tour. The move to pull out may also reflect the growing importance for top players to manage their workload ahead of physically demanding Slams.

Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how Sabalenka uses this downtime to fine-tune her game for New York, where she remains one of the leading title favorites.