Aryna Sabalenka aims for Serena-like dominance in the women's game
A remarkable 2024 has seen Aryna Sabalenka (26) dominate the hardcourt Grand Slams and secure the year-end world number one ranking, igniting her aspirations to replicate the long-standing dominance of Serena Williams (43) in women's tennis.
Previously recognized for her emotional outbursts on the court, Sabalenka has refined her game, evolving into a formidable competitor capable of overwhelming her opponents in a manner reminiscent of Serena during her peak years.
Following her significant achievement at the Australian Open last year, the Belarusian successfully defended her title in Melbourne this January and subsequently added the US Open trophy to her collection in September, surpassing Iga Swiatek in the rankings last month.
Sabalenka's impressive performance in New York marked her as a semi-finalist in nine of her last twelve Grand Slam appearances, a streak that echoes Serena's ten semi-final finishes from 2014 to 2017, during which the American secured six of her 23 major titles.
"I have always aspired to dominate the tour as Serena did, similar to Iga's extended reign," Sabalenka expressed to Arab News prior to the WTA Finals, where she confirmed her position at the top of the rankings despite a semi-final defeat to Coco Gauff.
"It is truly inspiring... yet I am concentrating on my own development, ensuring I possess all the necessary tools to achieve the same level of dominance."
With her powerful serve and explosive groundstrokes, Sabalenka appeared destined for a top 10 ranking, finishing the 2021 season in second place globally.
However, her high error rate and inconsistent serving led to her topping the tour in double faults during the 2020 season.
At times, her frustration with technical issues brought her to tears, and during the Adelaide International in early 2022, she even resorted to underarm serves.
A collaboration with a psychologist and focused work on her serve with biomechanics coach Gavin MacMillan prior to the 2023 season laid the foundation for her first Grand Slam title at last year's Australian Open.
Sabalenka maintained her remarkable performance and began to excel beyond the hard courts, advancing to the semi-finals on clay at the French Open and on the grass at Wimbledon.
However, her frustrations resurfaced when she experienced a heartbreaking three-set loss to Gauff in the final at Flushing Meadows, leading her to break her racket in what she believed was a private moment in the locker room.
Her disappointment from the defeat was somewhat alleviated by the fact that she had ascended to the top of the rankings for the first time.
Sabalenka relinquished the top position following a late surge from Swiatek at last year's WTA Finals in Cancun, but she has set a high standard in hardcourt tournaments this season, securing titles in Wuhan and Cincinnati to reclaim her position at the summit.
A clear indication that Sabalenka was becoming more comfortable with the intense pressure of being at the top was her new tradition of signing her trainer's bald head before matches during her journey to her second title in Melbourne in January.
She captivated American fans during her US Open title match against local favorite Jessica Pegula, delivering stunning shot-making that highlighted her power and composure, particularly through the drop shots she incorporated into her expanding skill set.
"Five years ago, if someone had told me I would finally master this shot, I would have laughed," Sabalenka remarked.
"I lacked finesse. I was terrible at it. Now, I have this shot in my repertoire. It places significant pressure on my opponents, as they now realize I can offer even more variety."
Sabalenka's response after squandering a 3-0 lead in the second set to ultimately secure the match particularly impressed former world number one Kim Clijsters.
"Much like Serena, she possesses the ability to rise to the occasion when it matters," the Belgian stated on the 'Served with Andy Roddick' podcast.
Her coach, Anton Dubrov, believes it will be challenging for Sabalenka to maintain the number one ranking through the 2025 season, but he noted that she now comprehends what is required to succeed.
The Belarusian, who has been collaborating with Sabalenka since 2020, remarked, "I believe she has reached a greater level of maturity, recognizing the necessary steps to maintain her position."
"Being ranked number one means that opponents approach the match with a mindset of having nothing to lose, allowing them to perform at their highest potential."
"In contrast, you must consistently manage the pressure and expectations that come with this level of competition, often needing to elevate your performance. For her, it is crucial to learn how to adjust to various circumstances."
"She has significantly improved in this regard. She is now aware that even when she is not performing at her peak, she can still navigate the challenges effectively."
SportsLigue