Aryna Sabalenka Opens up on the Addition of Max Mirnyi as the New Team Member in her Staff

Aryna Sabalenka is playing her first tournament since Wimbledon, at the Cincinnati Masters.

Aryna Sabalenka Opens up on the Addition of Max Mirnyi as the New Team Member in her Staff

Aryna Sabalenka and Max Mirnyi (via BBC/Tennis.com)

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Aryna Sabalenka has revealed a new addition to her team, former Belarusian tennis star Max Mirnyi. The 48-year-old retired in 2019 after a decorated career in doubles. He is an Olympic gold medalist in mixed doubles from the 2012 London Games with Victoria Azarenka and a former world No. 1 in doubles. Mirnyi also claimed 10 Grand Slam titles, including six in men’s doubles and four in mixed doubles, two of those in 1998 alongside Serena Williams.

Sabalenka said that Mirnyi adds a fresh and reliable perspective to her camp. She acknowledged that some of their focus will be on improving her net play. This focus may come as a surprise, given that she began her career with significant success in doubles, winning four major titles with Elise Mertens. Sabalenka said on Tennis Channel:

He is very intelligent. I am very happy to see him enjoying life; he went through very tough situations. He is definitely helping us with the net work. He also gave me a couple of tips on the serve, which are really working well for now, and I hope they only get better. Bringing a new voice to the team is also important.

Mirnyi’s experience at the top level makes him a valuable resource for Sabalenka. His insights could help her refine areas of her game that are less often tested in singles matches. The partnership signals her intent to keep evolving as a player.

It is unknown how long Sabalenka had been considering this move. Mirnyi spent late 2023 and early 2024 recovering from surgery and treatment for a malignant brain tumor. His return to the sport marks a new chapter for both him and Sabalenka.

Emma Raducanu sets up clash with Aryna Sabalenka at Cincinnati Open

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka will meet Emma Raducanu in the next round of the Cincinnati Open. The 2021 US Open champion will be looking for revenge after losing to Sabalenka in the Wimbledon third round just a month ago. In that encounter, Sabalenka won 7-6, 6-4, relying on her composure in crucial moments and capitalizing on shared opportunities.

Aryna Sabalenka, Emma Raducanu
Aryna Sabalenka, Emma Raducanu (Image via X/WTA, British Tennis Players)

The world No. 1 has built an impressive record in Cincinnati over the years. She has collected 19 wins at the tournament, making it one of her most successful WTA 1000 events. Her consistency here has made her a player to watch every time she steps on the court in Ohio.

Sabalenka’s achievements in Cincinnati include winning the title in 2023 and reaching the semifinals twice. These results highlight how well she adapts to the conditions and pressure of this event. Few players on tour can match her level of performance here.

The only tournament where Sabalenka has more main draw victories is Madrid, with 23 wins and three titles. Her proven success in both events shows her ability to dominate on big stages. The clash with Raducanu promises another battle that could hinge on just a few key points.

Aryna Sabalenka advances at Cincinnati Open

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka battled past Marketa Vondrousova 7-5, 6-4 to reach the third round of the Cincinnati Open. The defending champion made a strong start to her title defence and set up a much-anticipated clash with former US Open winner Emma Raducanu. It will be a rematch of their Wimbledon meeting from just a month ago.

Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka (Image via X/Roland Garros)

The world No. 1 returned to hard courts with a win over the 2023 Wimbledon champion, who was competing after nearly three months away. Vondrousova, despite her lower ranking, pushed Sabalenka hard and created many chances. However, Sabalenka’s composure under pressure made the difference, as she saved 12 break points and converted all three of her own.

The first set was a tense affair, with Vondrousova applying pressure from the very first game. Sabalenka had to save multiple break points before finally striking at 6-5 to secure the opener. Her ability to handle high-pressure moments kept her ahead, even when her opponent appeared close to breaking through.

The second set began evenly, but Vondrousova’s level dipped, especially on serve. Sabalenka broke twice in succession and held firm through another testing service game with five break points against her. She closed the match by winning five straight games, sealing a confident victory and moving one step closer to defending her title.

Also Read: (Video) Carlos Alcaraz Copies Roger Federer’s SABR Technique During Practice at Cincinnati Open