Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning world number one in women’s tennis, has playfully pieced together her ideal tennis player by cherry-picking the best attributes from her fellow athletes. Ashleigh Barty, the former world No 1, is given the nod twice, while several other top-seeded players also find their way into Sabalenka’s dream player.
Sabalenka’s main adversary, the five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, is included in her mix, as well as 2023 US Open winner Coco Gauff, who triumphed over Sabalenka in the Flushing Meadows final. Furthermore, the current Australian Open champion Madison Keys and the 2022 Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina are also featured in Sabalenka’s ideal player specification.
In a candid moment, Sabalenka, who was once plagued by serving issues before a biomechanics coach intervened, was asked to nominate the best players when it comes to forehand, backhand, serve, and return of serve. She initially joked about naming herself for all categories on her “good days” but then proceeded to deliver a more thoughtful response.
For the best serve, Sabalenka hailed Elena Rybakina on her prime days as the best server. Madison Keys was recognized by Sabalenka for her powerful forehand. However, when it came to the backhand and return of serve, Sabalenka found herself at a loss. After some playful struggle, she credited Coco Gauff for her backhand prowess and Iga Swiatek for her impressive return of serve.
In the volley and slice categories, Ashleigh Barty was deemed the best, earning her two spots in Sabalenka’s perfect player lineup. Sabalenka’s playful self-praise and light-hearted approach to the question were reflective of her humorous personality, which she believes is essential for surviving the high-pressure world of professional tennis.
Before the Indian Wells Open commenced, Sabalenka also shared her thoughts on the funniest players in tennis. She named Ons and Dimitrov as some of the most amusing players and emphasized the importance of humor and fun both on and off the court.
According to Sabalenka, maintaining a sense of humor and finding fun outside the court is just as important as training and performance. She stressed the importance of a balanced life to ensure mental well-being in the intensely competitive world of professional tennis. In her words, it’s about “balancing things out,” and having fun is crucial to not losing one’s mind on the court.
In conclusion, Aryna Sabalenka’s perfect women’s tennis player is an amalgamation of the best attributes from various top players. This playful exercise not only highlighted the respect and admiration Sabalenka has for her peers but also shed light on her own balanced approach to life and tennis.