Belarusian powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka has set her sights on dominating women’s tennis in the same manner Serena Williams once did. With a breakthrough 2024 season that saw her win both the Australian Open and U.S. Open, Sabalenka’s meteoric rise to world number one has drawn comparisons to Serena’s era-defining success.
Sabalenka’s New York triumph in September marked her ninth semifinal appearance in the last 12 Grand Slams—reminiscent of Serena’s consistent dominance between 2014 and 2017. “I’ve always wanted to dominate the tour like Serena did, and like Iga Swiatek did for so long,” Sabalenka said, reflecting on the legacy she seeks to emulate. However, she remains focused on personal growth, determined to refine her game to achieve sustained excellence.
Known for her explosive serve and aggressive groundstrokes, Sabalenka has evolved into a tactically astute player. Early in her career, she struggled with consistency, particularly with her serve, leading to a high double fault count. However, with guidance from biomechanics coach Gavin MacMillan, she made crucial adjustments to her technique, culminating in her first Grand Slam victory at the 2023 Australian Open.
Since then, Sabalenka has continued to excel, proving herself on various surfaces, including clay and grass, and clinching titles in Wuhan and Cincinnati. Her improved mental resilience has been key to her success. After a devastating loss to Coco Gauff in the U.S. Open final, Sabalenka reflected on her emotional growth, acknowledging that even in defeat, she had achieved her career goal of reaching world number one.
“I’ve learned that the pressure at the top is immense. You have to be consistent, or even better, every time,” Sabalenka’s coach Anton Dubrov explained. “She now understands how to adapt to high-stress situations, even when she’s not playing at her best.”
Adding to her growing arsenal of shots, Sabalenka has incorporate