World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has officially withdrawn from her first scheduled tournament following Wimbledon, choosing to skip the Canadian Open in Montreal—a key event in the lead-up to the US Open. The decision comes in the wake of Sabalenka’s emotional semi-final exit at Wimbledon, where she was defeated by Amanda Anisimova in a closely contested three-set match.
Anisimova, returning to the Grand Slam spotlight after an extended break from professional tennis, managed to edge out Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. The match was intense from start to finish, with both players trading power shots and battling through long rallies. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Sabalenka displayed grace in the aftermath, even pausing during her post-match routine to express concern for a fan who suffered a medical emergency in the stands. Her sportsmanship was widely praised, although the match did not conclude without controversy.
After the semi-final, Sabalenka voiced frustration over a breach of protocol by Anisimova, suggesting her opponent may have violated Wimbledon’s guidelines during the high-stakes match. While Sabalenka stopped short of accusing Anisimova of unsportsmanlike conduct, her remarks added another layer to an already emotional exit from the All England Club.
Sabalenka’s withdrawal from Montreal marks the latest chapter in what has been a physically and emotionally taxing Grand Slam season for the Belarusian star. In January, she reached the Australian Open final, only to fall to Madison Keys in a match that saw her visibly distraught. Cameras captured Sabalenka smashing her racket in frustration after the defeat, a moment that highlighted the immense pressure she faces at the top of the women’s game.
Her struggles continued at the French Open, where she lost to Coco Gauff in another tightly contested final. Despite her consistent presence in the later stages of major tournaments, the top-ranked player has found herself on the wrong side of the scoreboard during critical Grand Slam moments in 2025.
By pulling out of the Canadian Open, Sabalenka is choosing to prioritize rest and recovery over immediate competition. The decision suggests she is focused on resetting both mentally and physically ahead of the final Grand Slam of the season—the US Open. Montreal is traditionally seen as an important event for players to prepare for the hardcourt swing, but for Sabalenka, the break may be necessary to regain her edge after months of intense play.
In a statement released through her team, Sabalenka explained that her withdrawal was based on the need for recovery following a taxing grass-court season and consecutive deep runs at Grand Slam events. She assured fans that she remains committed to returning stronger for the US Open and beyond.
While some fans are disappointed they won’t see Sabalenka compete in Montreal, many understand the importance of managing both the physical toll and emotional weight that come with being the world’s top-ranked player. For now, Sabalenka will take time to reset, hoping to turn the page and find her championship form when she returns to action on the hardcourts later this summer.