Aryna Sabalenka’s remarkable 2018 performance is making waves throughout tennis. Winning four titles – two Grand Slam titles! – in rapid succession has propelled her closer towards World No. 1, currently held by Iga Swiatek. Her stunning run has delighted both fans and analysts, earning high praise from tennis legend Jimmy Connors himself who highlighted her accomplishments through an interesting comparison.
Jimmy and Brett Connors recently discussed various highlights from this season on Advantage Connors, such as Shanghai Masters and Wuhan Open tournaments. Jimmy made an interesting comparison between Sabalenka’s season and that of Jannik Sinner of ATP; noting both players’ successes this year with four or seven titles secured each player throughout this discussion.
This comparison sparked interest, especially considering both Sabalenka’s and Sinner’s dominance on hard courts. They each clinched victories at prestigious tournaments such as the Australian Open, the Cincinnati Masters, and the US Open. Their latest successes at the Shanghai Masters and the Wuhan Open further cemented their status as formidable players on hard courts.
Jimmy Connors had previously praised Sabalenka’s powerful gameplay, especially her serve, which he noted had seen significant improvement. This isn’t the first time Sabalenka has been commended by tennis veterans. Her sportsmanship and on-court spirit have been recognized too, notably in a gesture toward Coco Gauff during the Wuhan Open, which was highly praised by Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs.
Sabalenka’s Inspiring Sportsmanship
Sabalenka’s actions off the court have also gained wide praise. After defeating Coco Gauff in one match, Sabalenka showed great understanding and encouragement towards Gauff, acknowledging both professional tennis’ pressures and difficulties as he acknowledged them himself. These acts of compassion earned Sabalenka widespread respect both on and off court.
As the tennis season advances, all eyes will be on Sabalenka to determine her chances of maintaining her exceptional play and overthrowing Serena Williams for World No. 1. With such an ambitious trajectory underway, many believe she may soon achieve such success and create an intriguing conclusion to this season’s action-packed finale.