Today, she is not only conquering the tennis world but also motivating others to persevere and keep fighting, regardless of the challenges they face.
Aryna Sabalenka’s rise to the pinnacle of women’s tennis has been nothing
short of spectacular. As the current World No. 1, she has captivated fans with
her powerful game and fierce determination. However, just a few years ago,
the Belarusian star was at a crossroads in her career, contemplating retirement
due to struggles with her serve.
In the world of tennis, players often experience ups and downs, and
Sabalenka’s journey has certainly been one of highs and lows. Known for her
strength, she has always been a formidable opponent on the court. Her ability
to generate immense power and hit aces with ease set her apart early in her
career. In fact, in 2020, Sabalenka hit the second-most aces on the WTA Tour,
just behind Elena Rybakina and Serena Williams. The following year, in 2021,
she again ranked second in aces, only trailing Karolina Pliskova.
Despite her raw power, Sabalenka was grappling with a significant issue—
double faults. In 2020, 2021, and 2022, she consistently topped the WTA
leaderboard for double faults, with a staggering 428 in 2022 alone. That year,
she had 139 more double faults than the second-place finisher, Ekaterina
Alexandrova, which led to frustration and uncertainty in Sabalenka’s game.
During this challenging period, Sabalenka considered walking away from the
sport. In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the World No. 1 opened up
about her internal struggle. She revealed that it wasn’t easy to continue,
especially when her serve was failing her, and it seemed like every match was
slipping out of her grasp due to the double faults. “There was a time, two or
three years ago, when I was double-faulting non-stop and everything seemed
to be going wrong. I was thinking, ‘Okay, it’s time for me to give up and quit…
it’s time to retire.’”
This was a pivotal moment in Sabalenka’s career. She was at a breaking point,
questioning whether she should continue pushing through or step away. But
then something inside her shifted. “I realized I have so much love for the sport
and there are so many things behind the scenes that I just couldn’t give up,”
she explained. Sabalenka’s passion for tennis and her determination to
overcome her struggles fueled her decision to fight on.
Rather than retreating, she made the brave decision to seek help and embrace
change. She enlisted biomechanics and data experts to analyze and refine her
serve, focusing on fixing the technical issues that had plagued her game. It was
not an overnight fix—her transformation required patience, resilience, and
hard work—but gradually, the results began to show.
By 2024, Sabalenka’s game had significantly improved. Although she still hit
205 double faults that season, it was a remarkable reduction compared to the
428 from 2022. More importantly, her double faults per match dropped from
an alarming 7.78 in 2022 to a more manageable 2.92 in 2024, even though she
played 15 more matches. This adjustment allowed her to focus on her
strengths and continue achieving impressive victories, ultimately earning her
the No. 1 ranking.
Reflecting on her journey, Sabalenka credits her persistence and refusal to give
up for her success. “It took me a lot to get where I am right now, and I’ve had
to make a lot of sacrifices. It has definitely taken a lot of hard work, and it’s a
long process. It’s not something that happens just by one click,” she said.
Now, Sabalenka is in a position to inspire others, especially those facing their
own challenges. “My dream is to inspire people, to be a fighter and to be an
example of not giving up and going through whatever life throws at me,” she
shared.
Sabalenka’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience. At a
time when she felt like giving up, she chose to push forward, adapt, and
improve. Her journey from considering retirement to becoming the World No.
1 is a testament to the power of persistence, passion, and belief in oneself. And
now, she’s not only dominating the tennis courts but also inspiring others to
never give up, no matter the obstacles.
