Aryna Sabalenka has demonstrated a steadiness at the Grand Slam tournaments that is unmatched among female players.
Showcasing a potent game style effective on various court surfaces, the top-ranked player globally has achieved 12 semi-final berths in her most recent 13 major competitions – with the most recent instance being her upcoming match against Jessica Pegula at the US Open on Thursday.
However, the crucial point is that Sabalenka’s inclination to falter at critical moments has only translated into three title victories.
The 27-year-old Belarusian player’s campaigns at this year’s major tournaments have yet to conclude with her lifting a trophy.
In the Australian Open final, the French Open final, and the Wimbledon semi-final, inconsistent play has contributed to disappointing losses.
Sabalenka secured her most recent major title by defeating Pegula in the New York final a year prior, and to boost her chances of securing another victory, she has enlisted Max Mirnyi, a 10-time Grand Slam doubles champion, to join her team.
“Everything is subject to change in life,” Mirnyi remarked to BBC Sport after observing Sabalenka’s practice session at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday.
“We’re not machines; we’re not robots, correct? No matter how skilled some professionals are in their respective fields, they are still human beings.”
“It boils down to performing well, but not necessarily flawlessly. Achieving perfection in a tennis match is incredibly challenging.”
“But that’s perfectly acceptable; she is consistently advancing to the later rounds of Slams, which gives us confidence that she is continually placing herself in a position to ultimately triumph.”
