Aryna Sabalenka delays start of her clay season after picking up injury in Miami

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• WTA Tennis

Aryna Sabalenka has delayed the start of her clay season as she has withdrawn from next week's Charleston tournament. Sabalenka, ranked at No 2 in the world, was scheduled to highlight this year's Charleston player field. But Sabalenka suffered a hamstring injury at the Miami Open and now needs time to heal.

"Sad to announce that I have to withdraw from Charleston! I picked up an injury during one of my matches in Miami and I need time to rest and heal. I’m so sorry to the tournament and the fans. I was really looking forward to being back and playing in front of you all," Sabalenka tweeted.

Sad to announce that I have to withdraw from Charleston! I picked up an injury during one of my matches in Miami and I need time to rest and heal. I’m so sorry to the tournament and the fans. I was really looking forward to being back and playing in front of you all!

Saby😘🫶 — Sabalenka Aryna (@SabalenkaA) March 30, 2023

Sabalenka hopes to do well during the clay season

Sabalenka has had a great start to the 2023 season as she became a Grand Slam champion at the Australian Open and also made the final at a WTA 1000 tournament in Indian Wells.

In Miami, Sabalenka made the quarterfinal before suffering a surprise defeat to Sorana Cirstea. After doing well on the hard courts, Sabalenka is aiming to continue her fine during the clay season. "The key would be just to focus on myself, don't think about social media, don't think about the people, expectations.

Just focus on myself. Just do my thing, and I believe that if I'm going to play at the same level or even better, wins will come. I just have to keep working hard and keep moving forward. There were some tough lessons in the first part of the season.

I'll just learn, reset, and start working again from the beginning. I'll do my best to make sure I bring my best tennis on the clay court season," Sabalenka said after her Miami exit. Sabalenka is now scheduled to start her clay season in Stuttgart. The Stuttgart event is starting on April 17th.