Aryna Sabalenka has brushed aside concerns about her recent form as she prepares to defend her US Open title and chase a historic third consecutive championship in New York.
The world No. 1 from Belarus enters the tournament after a difficult stretch of results. She has not won a title since lifting the trophy at the Miami Open in March.
Despite that run, Sabalenka remains confident about her chances at Flushing Meadows.
“Always confident,” the 28-year-old told reporters when asked about her mindset ahead of the tournament.
Sabalenka Targets US Open History
Sabalenka has enjoyed remarkable success at the US Open in recent years.
She won the tournament in 2024 and successfully defended her crown in 2025. Another victory would make her only the third woman to win three consecutive US Open singles titles.
Only Chris Evert and Serena Williams have previously achieved that feat.
Sabalenka said joining their names in the record books would mean a great deal to her.
“They’re the biggest, and they’re legends,” she said, recalling how she admired both players while growing up.
Difficult Results Before New York
Sabalenka began 2026 in impressive fashion.
She won the Brisbane tournament before reaching the Australian Open final. However, Elena Rybakina defeated her in a three-set battle.
Sabalenka quickly recovered from that disappointment.
She then won both Indian Wells and Miami to complete the prestigious Sunshine Double.
However, her results changed after that strong start.
She reached the quarter-finals at the French Open before losing in the fourth round at Wimbledon to Naomi Osaka.
Her struggles continued during the North American hard-court swing.
Sabalenka exited both the Canadian Open and Cincinnati Open in the fourth round earlier this month.
World No. 1 Refuses to Panic
The recent defeats have raised questions about Sabalenka’s form heading into the final Grand Slam of the season.
Still, the Belarusian star said difficult periods can ultimately make her stronger.
“That’s the beauty of sport,” she said. “Throw tough challenges at me, I will come back only stronger.”
Sabalenka acknowledged that she had not played her best tennis during the recent stretch.
She also revealed that she had been dealing with several issues and preferred not to dwell on that period.
Instead, she has focused on resetting mentally and preparing for another challenge.
Mental Strength a Major Focus
Sabalenka said she has spent considerable time working on the mental side of her game.
She believes those efforts can help her regain her best level during the US Open.
“I was trying to reset my mind and to come back stronger,” she said.
The world No. 1 added that the recent difficulties had motivated her to work harder.
For Sabalenka, the challenge now is to turn that preparation into results on the court.
A Chance to Join Tennis Legends
A third consecutive US Open title would add another major achievement to Sabalenka’s career.
She is already a four-time Grand Slam singles champion and could claim her fifth major title in New York.
A three-peat would also place her alongside two of the most successful players in US Open history.
Sabalenka said she grew up watching Evert and Williams dominate women’s tennis.
Therefore, joining them as a three-time consecutive champion would carry special significance.
Sabalenka Believes a Comeback Is Coming
Although her recent results have not matched the standards she set earlier in the season, Sabalenka remains optimistic.
She said she views the setbacks as lessons rather than reasons for concern.
Her opening matches at Flushing Meadows will now provide the first opportunity to show whether that renewed confidence can translate into another deep Grand Slam run.
With two consecutive US Open titles already behind her, Sabalenka arrives in New York with history within reach.
