Aryna Sabalenka a 'totally different player' and 'mentally tough' ahead of French Open, says John McEnroe

Published 25/05/2023 at 10:04 GMT

Aryna Sabalenka won her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and her service improvement was a big factor in that - as well as her compiling a 29-5 win-loss record this season. John McEnroe thinks Sabalenka has found a "happy medium" with her serve and looks "much more confident". However, he has also picked world No. 1 Iga Swiatek as the one to beat at the French Open.

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John McEnroe believes Aryna Sabalenka is a “totally different player” after shoring up her serve and looks a "much more confident" player.

Sabalenka's serve has previously let her down in some key moments, and in 2022 she hit 440 double faults, 151 more than any other player.

But she looked to have new-found confidence at the Australian Open earlier this year as she was crowned champion.

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She has since cemented her place as the second-best player on tour behind Iga Swiatek by compiling a 29-5 win-loss record and winning titles in Indian Wells and Madrid.

Reflecting on Sabalenka’s service improvement, Eurosport expert McEnroe said: “That was a huge problem for her. And it shows you mentally how tough she is that she's been able to sort of overcome that.

“As far as the actual technique, I don't think there's very much that's different. I think that at times, she maybe play a little safer, rightfully when the nerves get in the way, and just gets the serve in. And then other times, she's trying to sort of hit bigger on the second serve, the complete opposite, to try to just sort of go for it.

“And so it seems like she's found that sort of happy medium of where to be, but it still feels like it can be an issue. And I think that the serve is the most important shot in tennis. So no matter who you are, I think people look at how well you're serving.

“Look at [Daniil] Medvedev, all of a sudden he realised, ‘oh, if you have a big service it's important on clay too’.

“So maybe more focus, more practice, more preparation mentally, has helped her sort of get over the hump. Obviously when she's won a major now she's going to be a totally different player. Just because I think she's feels so much more confident.”

Sabalenka has never made it past the third round at the French Open but looks to be among the leading contenders this year.

Eurosport expert Barbara Schett thinks the title will be won by either Sabalenka, Swiatek or Elena Rybakina.

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McEnroe sees defending champion Swiatek as the one to beat.

“On clay she's just a step above everyone,” he said.

“But I think Sabalenka and Rybakina can blow her off the court, they are such big hitters, big servers, particularly, Rybakina. I don't know if you can do that long enough, but it is two out of three as opposed to the best of five, so I think those type of players can cause problems.

“But I would still pick Swiatek.”

The French Open starts on May 28.

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Stream the 2023 French Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

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