Defiant Sabalenka looking to bounce back at US Open

Aryna Sabalenka's world No.1 ranking is under threat with the likes of Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula hot on the heels of the Belarusian.

The top-ranked women's player is seeking a third US Open title but her recent form and results suggests a successful title defence at Flushing Meadows may be a bigger ask than first envisaged.

Her Instagram account is filled with photos where she is fashionably dressed in beautiful settings, or lounging in a bikini in relaxing ones. Life looks great.

Sabalenka hasn't even gotten past the fourth round of her last few tournaments, and she hardly looks ready to become the first player to win three straight US Open titles since Serena Williams from 2012-14.

To those who don't like the black mesh-covered outfit she's wearing on the court in New York: "Who cares about people, right? All that matters for me is that I love it," Sabalenka responded.

Sabalenka looked headed for a superb season at the start of the year. She lost in the Australian Open final to Rybakina, but then won back-to-back hard-court titles at Indian Wells and Miami.

Even after she was knocked out by Naomi Osaka in the fourth round at Wimbledon, it was assumed Sabalenka would quickly return to form when she came back to North America and the hard courts where her power is so tough to handle.

Then she was upset by Ekaterina Alexandrova in the fourth round in Toronto and blew leads in both sets and was ousted by Sara Bejlek in Cincinnati, appearing frustrated at times with her game the way she used to earlier in her career.

She won't specify what was wrong, but hinted that everything wasn't right.

"It wasn't the best period. I don't want to defend myself, but obviously I just don't want to talk about that period. I've been dealing with several things," Sabalenka said.

"But who cares, right? Yeah, I didn't perform my best. These tough lessons are definitely going to make me way, way stronger and working even harder.

"I work on my mental side of the game. I was trying to reset my mind and to come back stronger, so it's only going to make me stronger. It's only a matter of time for me to come back."

It wouldn't be a surprise if it was in New York, where she won the title for the first time in 2024 by beating Pegula in the final. She defended it last year by topping Amanda Anisimova.

Reaching the top has given the 28-year-old plenty of benefits off the court. Endorsement deals and photo shoots. Vacations during the season to Greece with her fiance.