This time last year, Aryna Sabalenka was sitting on the sidelines during the Wimbledon fortnight after being forced to withdraw from the event with a shoulder injury.
This time three weeks ago, she was dealing with the fallout from comments she made after losing to Coco Gauff in the final of Roland Garros, saying that she lost the match more than the American won it.
But sfter a 6-1, 7-5 win over Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine on No. 1 Court at the All England Club on Monday, the world No. 1 told Martina Navratilova and Steve Weissman that she's turning the page on all that's behind her as she starts her quest for a first Wimbledon title.
"I'm just super grateful that I'm healthy and I'm ready to compete," Sabalenka said, further going on to address the dust-up with Gauff, which both players said was a distant memory in the days ahead of the tournament in both words and actions.
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