Aryna Sabalenka, world No. 1 and reigning champion of the 2024 Cincinnati Open, returns to Mason, Ohio, to defend her title at the 2025 WTA 1000 event held from August 7–18 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
Sabalenka didn’t drop a set the entire tournament last year and defeated Jessica Pegula in the final round.
Pegula, 2023 Cincinnati Open winner Coco Gauff and 2019 Cincinnati Open winner Madison Keys are set to compete again this year, but Sabalenka enters the competition as the favorite.
Sabalenka has three singles titles in 2025, with a record of 47-9 going into the Cincinnati Open. On Wednesday, Sabalenka talked about the importance of taking the last few weeks off to prepare for competition in Mason and beyond.
“We’re just trying to manage the energy a bit better, because the schedule is really intense and it’s crazy what they’re trying to make us do,” Sabalenka said. “We’re humans, it’s impossible to handle this intensity. Every week is a mandatory tournament and the schedule is crazy, honestly.”
Sabalenka, 27, last played at Wimbledon, when she lost in the semifinals to Amanda Anisimova. After a deep run at Wimbledon—reaching the semifinals—Sabalenka withdrew from the Canadian Open in Montreal due to fatigue, ensuring she was well-prepared physically and mentally for Cincinnati and the upcoming US Open.
As top seed, she gets a first-round bye and will face either Markéta Vondroušová or Jaqueline Cristian in her opening match. A potential third-round clash with Emma Raducanu looms (should Raducanu advance), followed by possible matchups against the likes of Leylah Fernandez, Liudmila Samsonova, or former finalists Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula.
Sabalenka’s title defense comes amid rising pressure from stars such as Coco Gauff and Iga Świątek, both strong on hard courts and eyeing momentum before Flushing Meadows. Former Grand Slam winner Madison Keys and veteran Venus Williams (via wildcard entry) add intrigue to the field.
This year’s singles draw has expanded from 56 to 96 players, introducing a longer, more grueling competition format. Sabalenka must navigate an extended field with nearly every top star in attendance.
Why It Matters
- Physical Form: Skipping Canada was strategic, giving Sabalenka rest after a strong clay-court swing—including a French Open final and Wimbledon semifinal—and emphasizing her goal of peak performance heading into the US Open.
- Psychological Edge: With recent losses to both Keys (Australian Open) and Gauff (French Open), defending Cincinnati offers her a chance to reassert dominance on hard courts before the summer’s slam.
- Momentum Builder: Winning again in Cincinnati would reinforce her status at the top and deliver confidence going into the final major of 2025.
In short: Aryna Sabalenka comes back to Cincinnati as the top seed and defending champion, refreshed after skipping Montreal and riding strong form through the majors. With a deeper draw, formidable opponents, and Grand Slam implications ahead, her title defense promises high drama and a big step toward another standout US Open campaign. Let me know if you’d like match predictions, full draw analysis, or player head‑to‑head stats!
