World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has been practicing all week at the US Open.
Fans have noticed that the happy-go-lucky Aryna Sabalenka has not been as prevalent this year in tournaments.
There were noteworthy incidents after the French Open and heated emotions at Wimbledon. As recently as the Cincinnati Open, she has looked stressed.
T ough losses have contributed to that, but there could be more to it.
Someone gifted Sabalenka a thoughtful item that could help.
Aryna Sabalenka's two best friends on the WTA Tour are Paula Badosa and Ons Jabeur. Neither is playing in this year's US Open.
Badosa, whose friendship with Sabalenka, earned the moniker "Sabadosa" was always by Sabalenka's side at practice sessions.
Sabalenka defeated Badosa in the 2024 French Open Round of 32 and the 2025 Australian Open semifinals. The pair competed hard against each other, but they ended the matches with hugs and smiles at the net.
Sabalenka was gifted a "Sabadosa" towel with both of their faces on it.
Aryna Sabalenka had the towel with her at practice and was spotted studying it closely.
She may have been talking to it also.
Someone gave Aryna a sabadosa towel pic.twitter.com/OWI0gN5RI8
— Vas (@_coverldn) August 22, 2025
Perhaps it will give her joy and help her to get over the hump at a 2025 Grand Slam. She was a finalist at the Australian and French Open and a semifinalist at Wimbledon.
Sabalenka admitted that she has learned a lot this year, but defending her title is of utmost importance in New York, the site of her last Grand Slam win.
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