Aryna Sabalenka, the dominant force on hardcourts, is set to compete at the 2025 Qatar Open and Dubai Championships—but shockingly, she’s not putting much weight on either event.
Despite being one of the top favorites in both WTA 1000 tournaments, the World No. 1 has made it clear: These events are just a warm-up for the bigger prize—the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells & Miami).
“I believe I’ll just take these two tournaments as preparation for the Sunshine one, and I’ll try to build my tennis, and probably take my tennis to the next level in these two events.”
This surprising revelation has caught fans and analysts off guard. With four WTA 1000 events in quick succession, why is the top-ranked player in the world seemingly downplaying the importance of Doha and Dubai?
🔥 The Hardcourt Queen: Sabalenka’s Dominance & Mindset Shift
Sabalenka has been the best hardcourt player in the world over the past few years:
✅ Five straight Grand Slam finals on hardcourts
✅ Three major titles
✅ Seven of the last eight hardcourt Grand Slam semi-finals
✅ WTA 1000 wins at Cincinnati and Wuhan
Yet, despite this impeccable record, she isn’t putting too much stock in February’s biggest tournaments.
Why? The WTA schedule is tougher than ever.
“The schedule is actually pretty tough, especially if you make it to the last stage of the Australian Open. Then you don’t have much time to recover and prepare yourself for these big events.”
Previously, only one WTA 1000 tournament took place in February. Now, players must navigate:
- January: Australian Open (Grand Slam)
- February: Qatar Open & Dubai Championships (WTA 1000s)
- March: Indian Wells & Miami (WTA 1000s, Sunshine Double)
With so many high-stakes tournaments in a short period, Sabalenka is making a calculated choice—she wants to peak at the right time.
🔥 Prioritizing Indian Wells & Miami: A Smart Move or a Risky One?
Sabalenka’s approach is unusual. Most players treat Grand Slams as their main focus, using lower-tier tournaments to fine-tune their game. But here, she’s essentially ranking WTA 1000 events against each other—suggesting Doha and Dubai don’t hold the same importance as Indian Wells & Miami.
Could this backfire?
- Losing early in Doha or Dubai could hurt her momentum heading into the Sunshine Double.
- Skipping key preparation time on hardcourts could leave her vulnerable to rising stars looking to capitalize.
- Rivals like Iga Swiatek & Coco Gauff are still locked in on every event—giving them a potential edge.
However, there’s logic behind Sabalenka’s thinking:
✅ Indian Wells & Miami feature slower hardcourts, requiring extra preparation.
✅ She needs to manage her energy to avoid burnout before the European clay swing.
✅ A dominant Sunshine Double run would solidify her No. 1 ranking for months.
🔥 Will Sabalenka’s Mindset Shift Pay Off?
With Madison Keys (her only 2025 conqueror so far) absent from Doha & Dubai, Sabalenka remains a heavy favorite to win both titles. However, her statements could create an opening for rivals who sense an opportunity to strike.
One thing is certain—Sabalenka is playing the long game. Whether it pays off or comes back to haunt her will be decided over the next few weeks.
Will her “preparation tournaments” turn into championship runs? Or will Swiatek, Gauff, or another contender steal the spotlight?
The battle for WTA supremacy is far from over—and Sabalenka’s strategic gamble just made it even more interesting.