Aryna Sabalenka has made headlines this season not only through her incredible on-court play but also her admirable sportsmanship and remarkable sporting ethic. Already having secured four titles so far – two Grand Slam victories included! – Sabalenka is quickly closing in on Iga Swiatek for World No. 1, an honor she will likely overtake soon enough. Her prowess and competitive edge are well known, while more recently it’s her acts of kindness and genuine character off-field that have won her plaudits from critics alike!
Sabalenka’s recent victory at Wuhan Open marked her third triumph at this venue and she displayed an exceptional sense of camaraderie during her semi-final encounter against Coco Gauff, which went down to three sets, eventually being won by Sabalenka with scores of 1-6, 6-4 and 6-4 respectively. Gauff exhibited strong skills but struggled greatly with her serve resulting in 21 double faults which was clearly noted by both spectators and commentators alike.
Rennae Stubbs, a former coach of Serena Williams, was particularly touched by Sabalenka’s gesture towards Gauff post-match. In a conversation on The Rennae Stubbs Podcast, Stubbs reflected on Sabalenka’s supportive comments made during the post-match interview. Sabalenka empathized with Gauff, encouraging her by saying that she understands what it’s like and assured Gauff that overcoming her serve issues could elevate her to the top of the game.
This display of sportsmanship left a strong impression on Stubbs, who described it as a moment of genuine generosity and support within the competitive realm of sports. Sabalenka’s words not only aimed to uplift Gauff but also celebrated her potential and resilience. Despite Gauff’s challenges with her serve, having accumulated 382 double faults over 63 matches this season, her determination remains unwavering.
Reflections on Continued Improvement
Gauff has made great strides with her serve game since teaming up with new coach Matt Daly. Though there was struggle during Wuhan Open matches, Gauff remained dedicated to improving it; working on new techniques to boost it in between sets as she saw each close match as an invaluable learning opportunity.
The tennis community has taken notice of Gauff’s progress and her ability to overcome her serving woes, particularly given Sabalenka’s generous spirit and encouragement, which might spark more moments of empathy among competitors while showing the breadth and camaraderie present within tennis.