Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 women’s tennis player and reigning US Open singles champion, has withdrawn from the mixed doubles event at the 2025 US Open due to the hospitalization of her intended partner, Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian, ranked No. 8, suffered a pectoral muscle injury during his Wimbledon fourth-round match against Jannik Sinner in July 2025, where he was leading by two sets before being forced to retire. The injury, which led to his hospitalization, has sidelined him from the US Open, ending his streak of 58 consecutive Grand Slam appearances.
Sabalenka’s decision to skip the mixed doubles, announced on August 14, 2025, during a press conference after her Cincinnati Open win, stems from her loyalty to Dimitrov, who had enthusiastically planned their partnership. The duo had previously teamed up at the 2022 World Tennis League in Dubai, where despite a loss, Dimitrov was keen to compete together at Flushing Meadows. Sabalenka recounted to tennis.com, “He was texting me, non-stop, begging me to play. I was like, ‘Man, I don’t want to play.’ But he was begging, and I was like, ‘OK, you got it.’” When offered other partners, she declined, stating, “Well, there are a few guys who are asking, but, no, I don’t think so,” emphasizing her commitment to Dimitrov.
This withdrawal follows Sabalenka’s earlier decision to skip the Montreal National Bank Open in July 2025 due to fatigue, a strategic move to prepare for her US Open singles title defense. Her 2025 season has been marked by consistency, with seven finals, including wins in Brisbane, Miami, and Madrid, but also Grand Slam setbacks, such as losses in the Australian Open and French Open finals and a Wimbledon semifinal defeat to Amanda Anisimova. Despite these, Sabalenka’s focus remains on the singles campaign, where she aims to repeat her 2024 triumph over Jessica Pegula.
The mixed doubles event, part of a restructured US Open format with shorter matches held before the singles draw, offered a $1 million prize, which Sabalenka has forgone. Her choice has sparked mixed reactions. Some praise her loyalty, with posts on X calling it “admirable,” while others see it as a missed opportunity for additional glory. Sabalenka’s current form, highlighted by a 6-1, 7-5 win over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in Cincinnati, positions her as a strong contender for the singles title, though she faces a tough quarterfinal against Elena Rybakina.
The situation draws parallels to strategic decisions in other sports, like Luke Littler’s choice to skip the PDC World Youth Championship to manage his schedule, or Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin prioritizing the Davis Cup. Sabalenka’s withdrawal underscores her focus on peak performance and loyalty, balancing physical demands with personal commitments as she prepares for Flushing Meadows.
