Why Did Sabalenka and Badosa Withdraw from the Montreal Tournament?
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Synopsis
In a surprising turn of events, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has opted out of the National Bank Open, citing fatigue. Similarly, Paula Badosa is sidelined with a psoas injury. This article delves into the implications for both players as they prepare for the upcoming US Open. Stay tuned for more updates!
Key Takeaways
- Aryna Sabalenka withdrew from the National Bank Open for rest.
- Paula Badosa is out due to a psoas injury.
- Caty McNally and Moyuka Uchijima will replace the withdrawn players.
- The US Open main draw starts on August 24.
- All top 70 players are expected at the US Open.
New Delhi, July 17 (NationPress) Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked player in the world, has decided to withdraw from the National Bank Open due to fatigue, choosing to take some extra time off before gearing up to defend her title at the final major of the season, the US Open.
Meanwhile, Paula Badosa from Spain has also stepped back from the tournament because of a psoas injury and will be sidelined for several weeks.
The organizers announced, "Two players have withdrawn from the 2025 National Bank Open: Aryna Sabalenka, due to fatigue, and Paula Badosa, due to an injury."
Badosa shared her struggles regarding the injury on X, stating, "Due to a psoas injury, I will have to be out of competition for a few weeks. I am going through really tough times. Sometimes everything feels like a tunnel with no way out… but if there’s one thing I’ve always shown, it’s that I never stop fighting."
In light of these withdrawals, Caty McNally and Moyuka Uchijima will now fill the spots in the main draw, taking the places of Sabalenka and Badosa.
After missing the Montreal event, Sabalenka aims to return to competition in Cincinnati, where she is the defending champion, before shifting her focus to the US Open.
Sabalenka tops the entry list for the 2025 US Open, which was shared on Tuesday, as she seeks to secure back-to-back titles in New York City. Following semifinal finishes in 2021 and 2022, and a narrow defeat to Coco Gauff in the 2023 final, Sabalenka finally claimed her long-awaited US Open trophy last year by overcoming Jessica Pegula.
However, this year, Sabalenka has not yet captured a Grand Slam title. All three major champions of this year will compete in New York, aiming for another Grand Slam victory: Madison Keys (Australian Open champion), Coco Gauff (Roland Garros champion), and Iga Swiatek (Wimbledon champion).
The entry list is filled with all the top 70 players from the current PIF WTA Rankings, as the elite of the WTA Tour prepare for the year’s final Grand Slam event at Flushing Meadows. Main-draw matches at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center will kick off on August 24.
Point of View
We understand the immense pressure athletes face. Aryna Sabalenka's decision to rest and Paula Badosa's injury highlight the challenges top players encounter. Supporting their health should always take precedence over competition, ensuring they're in prime condition for future tournaments.
NationPress
17/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Aryna Sabalenka withdraw from the Montreal tournament?
Aryna Sabalenka withdrew due to fatigue, choosing to take time off to prepare for the US Open.
What injury caused Paula Badosa to pull out of the tournament?
Paula Badosa has a psoas injury, which will keep her out of action for a few weeks.
Who will replace Sabalenka and Badosa in the main draw?
Caty McNally and Moyuka Uchijima will replace Sabalenka and Badosa in the main draw.
When does the main draw for the US Open start?
Main-draw play at the US Open will kick off on August 24.
What is Sabalenka's recent performance at Grand Slams?
Sabalenka won the US Open last year but has not secured a Grand Slam title this year.
