Despite having some time off following the conclusion of the 2023 tennis season, world number 6 Aryna Sabalenka has not fully disconnected from the sport. The Belarusian star recently shared an Instagram story from her vacation that showed she had brought her tennis bags along with her luggage.

While many players use the offseason to relax and recharge without their rackets in sight, Sabalenka appears intent on maintaining her game even when schedules are clearer. In the story posted to her account, three tennis bags could be seen stacked among Sabalenka’s regular suitcases. This indicates she still plans to hit the courts during her break from the tour.

No break despite season off for Aryna Sabalenka as she takes tennis bags with her on vacation

Sabalenka last competed at the WTA Finals in Fort Worth in early November where she lost to top seed Iga Swiatek in the semifinals. Since then, the 24-year-old has had time to unwind without the pressures of the tour. However, her dedication to continual improvement is such that she cannot fully separate from tennis even on vacation.

“Tennis is my life so it’s hard to leave it behind completely when I travel,” Sabalenka told Sports Illustrated in a recent interview. “I always try to find a way to practice and work on things while also relaxing. It’s about finding the right balance.”

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Sabalenka’s commitment to her craft was evident last season as she reached the semi-finals at both Wimbledon and the US Open. However, consistency proved elusive as injuries and dips in form interrupted her momentum at times. Using the offseason to top up her physical conditioning and fine-tune technical aspects could help her mount a sustained challenge for major titles in 2023.

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Sabalenka’s coach approves of offseason training

Sabalenka’s coach Dmitry Tursunov understands her desire to continue hitting balls even when away from the tour. “Aryna loves tennis so much that it’s natural for her to want to play and work on her game on vacation,” Tursunov told Sports Illustrated.

“As long as she’s not overdoing it and burning out, I think it’s good for her to train during the offseason. It will help her maintain a high level and hit the ground running in January. But she also needs rest so we will make sure she gets plenty of that too.”

Tursunov believes Sabalenka’s dedication to self-improvement will serve her well in future seasons. “Her work ethic is very impressive. Aryna is always looking to evolve and get that little bit better. That mentality will stand her in good stead as she aims for Grand Slam success,” he said.

While many players switch off completely from tennis during the offseason, Sabalenka’s competitive nature means she cannot fully detach. Her decision to bring rackets on vacation shows her determination to maximize every opportunity, even during scheduled breaks. With her coach’s blessing and provided she balances training with rest, Sabalenka’s offseason hitting could help propel her to greater heights when the 2023 tour gets underway in January.

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