World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka sits atop women’s tennis with the US Open just around the corner. But while she’s preparing to defend her ranking in singles, the mixed doubles event has thrown her a curveball that reveals as much about her character as her game.
Why Won’t Aryna Sabalenka Find a New Mixed Doubles Partner?
Sabalenka was set to team up with Grigor Dimitrov for the US Open mixed doubles. The Belarusian previously said that the Bulgarian was constantly texting her about teaming up for the tournament.
“He was just like texting me non-stop. He was begging me to play, and I was like, ‘Man, I don’t want to play.’ But he was begging and I was like, ‘Ok, you got it,’” the Belarusian said.
Journalist Ben Rothenberg, who is on-site at the Cincinnati Open, said Sabalenka won’t find a replacement partner. Despite multiple offers from male players wanting to team up with her, she turned down every single request.
“Well there are a few guys who are asking, but, no, I don’t think so,” Sabalenka told reporters. Her reasoning? Loyalty to Dimitrov, even though he can’t compete.
New:
WTA #1 Aryna Sabalenka says she does not plan on playing US Open mixed doubles with a new partner after her original partner Grigor Dimitrov pulled out, mentioning being “loyal” to Dimitrov.
“Well there is a few guys who are asking, but, no, I don’t think so.”
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 14, 2025
The Bulgarian’s injury happened during his match against Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon. He was cruising with a two-set lead when disaster struck. After grabbing his chest, Dimitrov shouted, “My pec! My pec!” before being forced to retire.
This marked the fifth consecutive Grand Slam where Dimitrov had to withdraw, a troubling pattern that cost him more than just one match. The injury forced him to pull out of the US Open, snapping his remarkable streak of 58 straight Grand Slam appearances that began at the 2011 Australian Open.
Sabalenka Will Face Elena Rybakina in the Cincinnati Open QF
Sabalenka has had a decent run so far in Cincinnati. The World No. 1 is the defending champion at the WTA 1000 event and started her campaign with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Markéta Vondroušová. She then produced a fighting performance to narrowly beat 30th seed Emma Raducanu 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(5) and reach the fourth round.
Here, she beat Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-1, 7-5 to set up a quarterfinal clash with Elena Rybakina. Sabalenka and the Kazakh have had several scintillating encounters, with the Belarusian leading 7-4 in the head-to-head between the two. Whoever wins will take on either third seed Iga Świątek or 28th seed Anna Kalinskaya in the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open.
Sabalenka is a she, not a he. Who edits these articles? Trash journalism.
Sabalenka is no.1