Aryna Sabalenka explains what she’s started doing after tournaments which has transformed her as a player
Aryna Sabalenka explains what she’s started doing after tournaments which has transformed her as a player
Aryna Sabalenka clutched her this consecutive Wuhan Open title last Sunday as her quest for the year-end WTA number one continues.
A mesmerizing ten weeks for Aryna Sabalenka has seen her pick up three titles and lose just once in 21 matches.
After a blip in Montreal, the Belarusian cruised past Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula in Cincinnati, before making her way to New York.
A re-run of the final in the mid-west, Sabalenka went one better than the previous year and won her maiden US Open title – her second Grand Slam of the year.
After falling to Karolina Muchova in Beijing, Sabalenka recovered from a set down twice on her way to the Wuhan final, ultimately beating Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng for the third time this year.
Runner-up Qinwen Zheng of China and champion Aryna Sabalenka pose with their trophies after the singles final on Day 9 of the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan …
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
Aryna Sabalenka explains the key to her consistency after recent transformation
Once known for her volatility, serving woes, and errors, Sabalenka has morphed into a steely opponent.
Winning the US and Wuhan Open titles against a home favorite in Pegula and Zheng is a demonstrable feature of Sabalenka’s new resilient self.
She told WTA insider, via Punto de Break: “The key is to find a certain balance, because we play many tournaments in a year. There are many tough battles, very challenging obstacles to overcome, a multitude of challenges.
“To be ready for the highest level, it is important to have free time, quality time, so that when you are at the tournament, you can give it your all. And then, after the tournament, being able to rest a bit and start again.
“It all comes with experience; it takes time to understand oneself, the truth is I don’t know how I was able to change my mindset in this way, 2-3 years ago I was a completely different player.”
Indeed, a troubling drop in form and happiness in 2022 saw many discard Sabalenka from the conversation, unconvinced she’d ever bounce back.
Now with three major titles and a race with Swiatek for the year-end number one, she has proven them all wrong.
Aryna Sabalenka can help Coco Gauff through her difficulties
Sabalenka and Gauff faced off in the Wuhan semi-finals, with the Belarusian fighting back from a set down.
The American struck 21 double faults throughout the match – a WTA record this year – as her serving woes continued to disrupt her game.
Sabalenka sympathised with Gauff with the Belarusian having also seriously struggled with her serve two years ago.
After the match, Sabalenka suggested why Gauff was struggling on serve, drawing on her own personal battles and knowledge.
While rivals on-court, Sabalenka’s recovery from such serving difficulty will serve as an inspiration to the American that you can get over these issues.
