## Sabalenka’s Dominance Leaves Opponents Feeling Helpless
Aryna Sabalenka’s reign at the top of women’s tennis is built on power, precision, and unwavering belief.Just ask her opponents.
World No. 10 Daria Kasatkina describes Sabalenka’s shots as “rockets,” while Paula Badosa, ranked No. 12, feels like she’s “playing Playstation” against her.
Sabalenka’s dominance has been on full display at the Australian Open, where she’s captured her last 20 matches. A win in Saturday’s final would mark her third consecutive Australian Open title, a feat last achieved by Martina Hingis in 1999.
The world No. 1 is also the reigning U.S. Open champion and boasts a staggering 33 wins in her last 34 grand Slam matches on hard courts.
Her next challenger,American Madison keys,ranked No. 19, recognizes Sabalenka as a role model. both are powerful hitters, but Sabalenka’s complete conviction and versatility have propelled her to the pinnacle.
Many players confess to feeling overwhelmed by Sabalenka’s all-around game.”Aggressive, goes for the lines, can change directions,” Badosa said after losing to her close freind in the semifinals. “When a ball is coming strong, she’s able to change directions very easily. Fast, serving well, everything well. That’s how a No. 1 plays,” she added wiht a hint of resignation.
Sabalenka’s transformation from a talented but sometimes mentally fragile player to one of the sport’s toughest competitors is a testament to her dedication and maturity.
Sabalenka’s Dominance: A Complete Player Driven by Mental Fortitude
Aryna Sabalenka’s commanding presence on the tennis court is undeniable. The reigning Australian Open champion has solidified her position as a top contender with a series of impressive performances, leaving even her fiercest rivals in awe.
A Formidable Arsenal
Players consistently emphasize Sabalenka’s all-around game. World no. 2 Iga Świątek describes her as possessing “variety,” capable of playing both flat and with topspin, making her “a complete player.” Daria Kasatkina echoes this sentiment, highlighting Sabalenka’s power, improved movement, defensive skills, and blistering serve that can reach speeds of 124 mph.
The challenge Sabalenka poses is evident in the records of her opponents. Mirra Andreeva, who has lost four out of five matches against her, admits to being “tired of playing against her,” while Zheng Qinwen, the world No. 5, has yet to secure a victory in five attempts, including last year’s Australian Open final.
Mental Fortitude: A Key Weapon
Beyond her physical prowess, Sabalenka’s mental strength is a defining characteristic. She thrives under pressure, transforming into a “tiger” when facing significant challenges, according to Paula Badosa, who knows Sabalenka well.
“She loves that,” Badosa adds. “That’s what makes her the best.”
Performance coach Jason Stacy has witnessed sabalenka evolve, especially in her ability to regroup during challenging moments. “When she felt herself slipping away, (and being) a little more emotional or a little bit distracted, she was able to pull herself back in,” Stacy observed.
Stacy points to her composure during her quarterfinal victory over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova as evidence of this progress. Despite being twice a break down in the deciding set, Sabalenka maintained her focus, showcasing the mental resilience that sets her apart.
Sabalenka’s Fearless Tennis: A Champion’s Mindset
Aryna Sabalenka’s unwavering belief in herself and her aggressive style have made her a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court. Her fearless approach to the game, even in crucial moments, sets her apart from many of her peers.
Fellow power hitter Madison Keys highlighted Sabalenka’s audacity. “She plays such fearless tennis. I think a lot of people, no matter what, even if it was a tight point, you kind of expect them to play a little bit more conservative or back down a little bit, and you know she’s not going to do that.”
Keys’ coach and husband, Bjorn Fratangelo, compares Sabalenka’s ability to rise to the occasion with legendary players like Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams. ”I was watching that Pavlyuchenkova match in the room in the hotel, and there just wasn’t a doubt in my mind that she was going to win. That’s kind of how you feel with Novak when he plays most matches, Serena when she played most matches, Roger (Federer), Rafa (Nadal).”
He further explains that while Iga Świątek approaches every point with Nadal-like intensity, Sabalenka’s mindset is more akin to Federer’s, allowing for occasional errors while maintaining a calm confidence in her ability to win when it counts.
Sabalenka’s journey to becoming a champion hasn’t been straightforward. After a humbling loss to Coco Gauff in 2022, she revamped her serve, eliminating the troublesome double faults that plagued her game.This transformation exemplifies her dedication to betterment and her willingness to address weaknesses head-on.
to the ground and start it again.
It isn’t always smooth: she was broken in her first four service games against Clara Tauson in the fourth round in Melbourne; her opponents have broken her serve 16 times in her six matches. She has only dropped one set as a result.
Her opponents still speak of the huge improvement in the shot. Jessica pegula, who Sabalenka beat to win the 2024 U.S. Open, said in a news conference: “Before she used to have a big serve, but now there’s much more control, it’s much more consistent.
“That variable that you kind of hope would go off doesn’t really seem to go off as much anymore.”
After losing their match last Friday, Tauson said: “I think the biggest difference was her second serve was better than mine.”
sabalenka, who stands at 5 feet 11 inches (182cm), is also a much better mover than before, which has helped her use and absorb her opponents’ power rather than always generating it herself. “She changes directions very well — and she reacts very quickly to the fast ball as well,” Badosa said.
Variety is the other big addition to Sabalenka’s game. At the 2024 Italian Open, she was struggling with an injury against Elina Svitolina, and was unable to unload on her groundstrokes. She started hitting drop shots to shorten points — a shot she had been reluctant to hit out of fear it was too risky — and since then they have become a key element to her game in tight moments.
Sabalenka has added impressive touch and feel to her baseline power. (Charly triballeau / AFP via Getty Images)
Previously seen as a big-hitter whose game was liable to break down, she now has many other options when her serve and forehand are not firing.Against Pegula at the U.S. Open, she hit three drop shots, one of them a volley, to pinch the first set.
“I’ve noticed she’s starting mixing in a lot more slices, dropshots, coming to the net,” said the American.
“Before I felt like when I would play her, you would always tend to know something would kind of break down, whether it was her movement or her hands or her serve, whatever. Now that’s not happening as much.”
Expanding the Sabalenka toolshed has been a big priority for her and her team.
“As she gets more confidence that she can do it,we can mix it up more,” said coach Anton Dubrov in a news conference on Friday. “If something is not going to work well, she always knows she has a plan B, a backup plan, so she can always come back to what she feels better doing.
“She understands that if she will not play her best game, that she still has chances as she is going to be solid on the court without trying to play Russian roulette — like it’s everything or nothing.
“She can adapt and shift to something else and put the same pressure on the opponent all the time. The opponents, they know when they’re going to face Aryna that she can change all the time. So they understand they have also be on the same level all the time.”
that’s a frightening proposition for an opponent, with Kaia kanepi the last person to beat Sabalenka at Melbourne Park in 2022.
Keys will have to produce a pretty much flawless performance if she is to win her first Grand Slam title Saturday.
(Top photo: Quinn Rooney / getty Images)
Sabalenka’s improved serve has been a cornerstone of her success. Once a liability due too frequent double faults, her serve has become a reliable weapon, allowing her to start points on her terms.This transformation has not only boosted her confidence but also forced opponents to rethink their strategies against her.Jessica Pegula, whom Sabalenka defeated in the 2024 US Open final, noted the notable betterment in her serve, highlighting it’s consistency and control as key factors in her victories.
Aryna Sabalenka: From Power Hitter to all-Court Champion
Aryna Sabalenka’s meteoric rise in the world of tennis has been nothing short of spectacular. Her aggressive style and fearless approach have earned her a reputation as one of the most formidable players on tour. However, her journey to the top hasn’t been without its challenges. Sabalenka has faced setbacks and doubts, but her unwavering belief in herself and her willingness to evolve have propelled her to new heights.
Sabalenka’s 2024 US Open victory showcased not only her raw power but also her newfound versatility. After a humbling loss to Coco Gauff in 2022, she embarked on a mission to refine her game. The most striking transformation has been her serve. Once plagued by double faults, her serve is now a weapon of precision and consistency, allowing her to dictate points from the outset.
Beyond the serve,Sabalenka has worked tirelessly to add variety to her arsenal. Drop shots, slices, and net play have become integral parts of her game, making her a more complete and unpredictable opponent. This evolution allows her to adapt to different playing styles and maintain pressure on her opponents even when her powerful groundstrokes are not firing on all cylinders.
This newfound maturity and composure were on full display during her US Open run. Despite being twice a break down in the deciding set against Madison Keys in the final, Sabalenka maintained her focus, showcasing the mental resilience that sets her apart.
Sabalenka’s fearless Tennis: A champion’s Mindset
Aryna Sabalenka’s unwavering belief in herself and her aggressive style have made her a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court. Her fearless approach to the game, even in crucial moments, sets her apart from many of her peers.
Fellow power hitter Madison Keys highlighted Sabalenka’s audacity. “She plays such fearless tennis. I think a lot of people, no matter what, even if it was a tight point, you kind of expect them to play a little bit more conservative or back down a little bit, and you know she’s not going to do that.”
Keys’ coach and husband, Bjorn Fratangelo, compares Sabalenka’s ability to rise to the occasion with legendary players like Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams.”I was watching that Pavlyuchenkova match in the room in the hotel, and there just wasn’t a doubt in my mind that she was going to win. That’s kind of how you feel with Novak when he plays most matches,Serena when she played most matches,Roger (Federer),Rafa (Nadal).”
He further explains that while Iga Świątek approaches every point with Nadal-like intensity, Sabalenka’s mindset is more akin to Federer’s, allowing for occasional errors while maintaining a calm confidence in her ability to win when it counts.
Sabalenka’s journey to becoming a champion hasn’t been straightforward. After a humbling loss to Coco Gauff in 2022, she revamped her serve, eliminating the troublesome double faults that plagued her game.this transformation exemplifies her dedication to betterment and her willingness to address weaknesses head-on.
to the ground and start it again.
It isn’t always smooth: she was broken in her first four service games against Clara Tauson in the fourth round in Melbourne; her opponents have broken her serve 16 times in her six matches. She has only dropped one set as a result.
Her opponents still speak of the huge improvement in the shot. Jessica pegula, who Sabalenka beat to win the 2024 U.S. Open, said in a news conference: “Before she used to have a big serve, but now there’s much more control, it’s much more consistent.
“That variable that you kind of hope would go off doesn’t really seem to go off as much anymore.”
After losing their match last Friday, Tauson said: “I think the biggest difference was her second serve was better than mine.”
sabalenka, who stands at 5 feet 11 inches (182cm), is also a much better mover than before, which has helped her use and absorb her opponents’ power rather than always generating it herself.“She changes directions very well — and she reacts very quickly to the fast ball as well,” Badosa said.
Variety is the other big addition to Sabalenka’s game.At the 2024 Italian Open, she was struggling with an injury against Elina Svitolina, and was unable to unload on her groundstrokes. She started hitting drop shots to shorten points — a shot she had been reluctant to hit out of fear it was too risky — and since then they have become a key element to her game in tight moments.
Sabalenka has added impressive touch and feel to her baseline power. (Charly triballeau / AFP via Getty Images)
Previously seen as a big-hitter whose game was liable to break down, she now has many other options when her serve and forehand are not firing.Against Pegula at the U.S.Open, she hit three drop shots, one of them a volley, to pinch the first set.
“I’ve noticed she’s starting mixing in a lot more slices, dropshots, coming to the net,” said the American.
“Before I felt like when I would play her,you would always tend to know something would kind of break down,whether it was her movement or her hands or her serve,whatever.Now that’s not happening as much.”
Expanding the Sabalenka toolshed has been a big priority for her and her team.
“As she gets more confidence that she can do it,we can mix it up more,” said coach Anton Dubrov in a news conference on Friday. “If something is not going to work well, she always knows she has a plan B, a backup plan, so she can always come back to what she feels better doing.
“She understands that if she will not play her best game, that she still has chances as she is going to be solid on the court without trying to play Russian roulette — like it’s everything or nothing.
“She can adapt and shift to something else and put the same pressure on the opponent all the time. The opponents, they know when they’re going to face Aryna that she can change all the time. So they understand they have also be on the same level all the time.”
that’s a frightening proposition for an opponent, with Kaia kanepi the last person to beat Sabalenka at Melbourne Park in 20
