Andre Agassi explains what Aryna Sabalenka does during matches which is ‘an unnecessary thing’

Aryna Sabalenka participated in an exhibition event in Las Vegas ahead of the season's third WTA 1000 tournament.

Andre Agassi explains what Aryna Sabalenka does during matches which is ‘an unnecessary thing’

Aryna Sabalenka, Andre Agassi (Images via X)

Aryna Sabalenka has struggled for form since the Australian Open heartbreak. She was chasing a historic three back-to-back titles at Melbourne Park but Madison Keys ruined that dream with a three-set win in the final.

The three-time Grand Slam singles champion then shockingly crashed out of her opening-round match at the Qatar Open. She struggled at the Dubai Open, losing in the third round. Her next target is to win at the Indian Wells, but ahead of the WTA 1000 event, Sabalenka participated in an exhibition event called the MGM Rewards Slam in Las Vegas.

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She and tennis great Andre Agassi teamed up to play a doubles match against the pair of Naomi Osaka and Mardy Fish. Ahead of the event, Agassi explained what he observed in Sabalenka’s game that he thinks is unnecessary.

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Aryna, the power she has to hit the ball is remarkable. Backhand is very solid, forehand a bomb. I think she swings at it 100% and that is a great thing to watch but an unnecessary thing to do because her 85% would get even better direction and would be incredibly effective still. Her serve, she has changed her toss and put it down a lot. This year it looks like it has crept back up a bit.

Andre Agassi told reporters (H/T: Vegas Sports Today’s YouTube channel)

Aryna Sabalenka yet to emerge triumphant at Indian Wells

Although Aryna Sabalenka failed to make deep runs at the Middle East Swing, she has already clinched her first title of the season at the Brisbane International. She will be bidding to win her second trophy of the season at Indian Wells, the main draw of which starts on March 5.

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X)

Sabalenka, however, has never won Indian Wells singles, losing to Emma Navarro in the fourth round last year. She made her debut in 2018 and suffered a straight-set defeat to Marketa Vondrousova in the third round.

Sabalenka then lost to Angelique Kerber in the fourth round in 2019. The event wasn’t held in 2020 and Sabalenka didn’t participate in 2021. She returned to the tournament in 2022 but lost to Jasmine Paolini in the second round.

The 26-year-old produced her best performance when she reached the final in 2023. She lost the match to Elena Rybakina in two sets.

Sabalenka, however, has won the Indian Wells doubles. The Belarusian, along with Elise Mertens, beat Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova in straight sets in the final in 2019.