Jessica Pegula on what makes Aryna Sabalenka a top force in the women’s game

Author: Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday, January 15, 2025

it’s no secret Alina Sabalenka Is the best hard court player in the women’s game right now. She has won 16 consecutive matches at hard-court Grand Slam events and is seeking to become the first woman since 1999 to win three consecutive Australian Open titles.

Since the start of 2024, she has a record of 47-9.

But what makes the world number one so unstoppable? Jessica PegulaShe, who also reached the third round in Australia, had her say after defeating Elise Mertens in the second round.

Where to start? The seventh-seeded American player said, how about the serve?

“Her serve used to be very strong, but now she has more control and is more consistent,” Pegula said. “That variable you were hoping for doesn’t seem to happen anymore.”

Then there’s the footwork.

“I think her movements are getting a lot better,” Pegula added.

Then she’s willing to add touch and feel to her intense power play.

“Obviously she’s a super-strength player and can take the racket out of your hands sometimes,” Pegula said. “I noticed she was starting to mix in more chip shots, short balls and netting.”

Pegula said the recent results don’t lie. Sabalenka is improving her game and that’s why she’s winning.

“She’s definitely improved a lot as a player,” said Pegula, who could face Sabalenka in the semifinals if she can get through a tough quarterfinals against third-seeded Coco. · Gauff will also be her opponent. “I think that’s why you’re seeing these results. She’s improved a lot in a lot of areas. Kudos to her and her team.

Gone are the days of Sabalenka playing tennis where she would score a lot of free points when one of her shots failed, Pegula said. Now she’s also a pillar of consistency, with the Belarusian understanding her game well enough to know what decisions to make when a certain element isn’t working as it usually does.

“Before I think when I play her, you always tend to know that something is going to break, whether it’s her movement, her hands, her serve, whatever,” she said. “Now that doesn’t happen anymore. If one thing breaks, she probably has something else in her tool shed, and she can now start incorporating things you really didn’t expect.

“I think she’s just become a really, really well-rounded player and also has that power game where she can be very aggressive and take the game away from you, and I think that’s why she’s going to be good in a week or two. Hot. It’s been really tough and I think she, yeah, is just a very complete player right now.