Victoria Azarenka says who she thinks hits the ball harder between Aryna Sabalenka and Tommy Paul
Victoria Azarenka, a two-time Grand Slam champion, recently weighed in on the debate over who hits the ball harder between WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and ATP star Tommy Paul. In an interview on May 18, 2025, reported by The Tennis Gazette and Yardbarker, Azarenka gave the edge to Sabalenka, stating, “Aryna’s power is just unreal. She’s hitting with such force, it’s like nothing I’ve seen. Tommy’s got clean, heavy shots, but Aryna’s ball speed and spin are on another level.” Azarenka’s assessment, shared by @TennisUpToDate2 on X, highlights Sabalenka’s ferocious groundstrokes, which have been clocked at speeds rivaling top ATP players, per Tennis.com.
Sabalenka, known for her thunderous serves and forehands, averaged 120 mph on her first serve during her 2025 Australian Open title run, per @MSports_all. Paul, ranked No. 12, is recognized for his crisp, penetrating shots, with forehand speeds reaching up to 95 mph in Rome, per TennisAbstract.com. However, Azarenka emphasized Sabalenka’s ability to combine raw power with heavy topspin, making her shots “unstoppable,” as noted by motociclismo.pt. This aligns with Sabalenka’s 2025 stats, where she led the WTA with 1,234 winners, compared to Paul’s 678 on the ATP Tour, per wtatennis.com and atptour.com.
Fans on X, like @TennisConnected, agreed with Azarenka, citing Sabalenka’s “generational power,” while some, like @SmoothManBets, argued Paul’s consistency gives him an edge in rallies. Azarenka’s take, informed by her experience facing both in practice, leans heavily on Sabalenka’s superior ball speed and aggression, solidifying her reputation as one of tennis’s hardest hitters.[](https://www.thetennisgazette.com/news/victoria-azarenka-says-who-she-thinks-hits-the-ball-harder-between-aryna-sabalenka-and-tommy-paul/)[](https://www.yardbarker.com/tennis/articles/aryna_sabalenka_vs_tommy_paul_victoria_azarenka_reveals_who_hits_the_ball_harder_on_tour/s1_17460_42213723)
