Aryna Sabalenka is an excellent test case for how different shot types affect consistency in tennis. She hits the ball so flat that it can actually average a higher speed than many forehands in the men’s game.
Sabalenka’s Style
Sabalenka hits with very little spin, choosing instead to smash the ball with a flat forehand reminiscent of Monica Seles, who tore up women’s tennis in the early 1990s with a pioneering flat shot.
That kind of power shot has allowed Sabalenka to win four hard court Grand Slams, but she hasn’t seen the same kind of success on other surfaces. Roland Garros’ clay slows the game way down, allowing for more mobility to fight off faster shots with slides and digs.
Sabalenka is the defending US Open champion, but she has also seen the other side of the coin of power hitting. In the 2025 French Open Final against Coco Gauff, Sabalenka looked to be in business after winning the first set but then completely melted down to the tune of 70 unforced errors.
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
