Aryna Sabalenka is hoping her work with a biomechanic coach will help conquer her ongoing problems when it comes to serving during matches this season.
The world No.6 has become renowned on the Tour for the number of double faults she has produced. According to the WTA, she has hit 339 double faults in 41 matches played which works out as an average of eight per match. At her most recent tournament, the Western and Southern Open, she produced 29.
Addressing the issue whilst speaking to reporters last week, the Belarussian confirmed that she is working with a specialist to improve that area of her game. She is also continuing her work with coach Anton Dubrov at the same time.
“I changed a lot on my serve,” Tennis Now quoted Sabalenka as saying. “I wouldn’t say the technique, I just worked with a biomechanic guy who is really good. He’s helping me as a coach with my serve, and we are working a lot on my serve and my game. So I think that’s why I kind of kept playing better.”
The two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist says her decision to add an extra member to her team was made after she failed to find a solution to her serving problems. She has won 10 WTA titles during her career but the last was back in May 2021 at the Madrid Open.
“We tried everything this season, and nothing really worked well for me with this serve,” she said. “I think we just were looking for something that can help me. There were a lot of things that I was doing wrong on my serve.
“Right now I think I’m on the right way to fix it. I’m working on a lot of stuff to fix my serve.”
Sabalenka reached the semi-finals of the Western and Southern Open before losing to the in-form Caroline Garcia who went on to claim the title. So far this season she has reached the final of tournaments in Stuttgart and Rosmalen. In the Grand Slams she reached the fourth round of the Australian Open and the third round of the French Open. She wasn’t able to play Wimbledon due to their ban on Belarussian players due to the Ukraine war.
The 24-year-old now switches her attention to the US Open where she has a considerable amount of points to defend after reaching the semi-finals 12 months ago. She has won more main draw matches at the New York major (10) than any other Grand Slam event so far in her career.
The US Open will begin next Monday.
