The 26-year-old from Belarus, who missed Wimbledon with a shoulder injury, claimed her first title since winning the Australian Open eight months ago. Last week's victory in Cincinnati not only earned her ranking points but also gave her the confidence to put a year of injuries behind her and focus on winning the US Open.

She secured a confidence-boosting victory over world number one Iga Swiatek and played with the hard-earned joy that comes from a better balance in her life. "This joy came with experience and understanding a lot of things," Sabalenka said on Friday as she prepared for the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season, which begins at Flushing Meadows on Monday.

"Because before I was probably too focused on tennis and trying to be too concentrated, like putting too much pressure on myself," the Belarusian said.

"Recently I realised that it doesn't work that way. You have to balance the hard work, the expectations, the pressure and everything else with a bit of joy," Sabalenka said. Sabalenka's year has not been easy, not only in terms of injuries, as it took a difficult turn with the death of her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov in March.

Looking back, Sabalenka said she probably would have benefited from taking some time off rather than sticking to her planned schedule. "I definitely think I should have just stopped and stepped away from tennis a little bit, taken a little break and recharged before I started again," said the world number one in both women's singles and doubles.

"I think I overplayed and I carried a lot. In the end it manifested itself in the injury and I was also sick, I was injured. I had a stomach problem at the French Open," the Minsk-born player admitted. The enforced rest due to her shoulder injury was actually just what she needed, Sabalenka said. "It's not that I'm happy to have been injured, but I'm glad I had this time off and the opportunity to reset my mind."

The results were evident in Cincinnati, where she held on after wasting nine match points to beat Swiatek in the semi-final. It was the perfect preparation as she looks to improve on her runner-up finish to Coco Gauff in last year's US Open final. 

"I definitely felt really good after winning in Cincinnati. It was crucial for me to secure that title and get those wins," said Sabalenka, the second seed in New York, who will begin her campaign against Australian qualifier Priscilla Hon.

"The first two tournaments after my return were tough due to the shoulder injury. But I’m very pleased that everything clicked for me in Cincinnati, and I trust the hard work we’ve put in. I’m pretty sure I won’t get injured again."