Ex-WTA Pro Backs Aryna Sabalenka to Complete Rare Calendar Grand Slam: “She’s Been Very Confident This Season”

Aryna Sabalenka produced an impressive performance this year as she made nine finals. But one time she emerged victorious.

Ex-WTA Pro Backs Aryna Sabalenka to Complete Rare Calendar Grand Slam: “She’s Been Very Confident This Season”

Aryna Sabalenka (Image via Instagram @arynasabalenka)

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After starting her season at the Brisbane International and ending the tournament in her favor, Aryna Sabalenka made the Australian Open final only to suffer a three-set defeat to Madison Keys, failing to complete the three-peat. Sabalenka then made the finals of the Sunshine Doubles tournaments, losing at Indian Wells at the hands of Mirra Andreeva and winning the Miami Open by defeating home favorite Jessica Pegula.

During the European clay swing, the Belarusian reached the finals of the Stuttgart Open, Madrid Open, and the French Open. In Madrid, Sabalenka beat Coco Gauff and lost to Jelena Ostapenko in Stuttgart. But at the French Open, where Sabalenka reached the final for the first time, she squandered a set lead to lose to Gauff. The next title that Sabalenka clinched was the US Open, for the second consecutive time.

Sabalenka reached one more final. She made it to the title clash of the WTA Finals but failed to overcome Elena Rybakina. Former WTA player Nadezhda Petrova thinks Sabalenka has the ability to complete the rare Calendar Grand Slam.

She has every opportunity to win this Calendar Slam. She’s been very confident this season. Yes, there were moments where she stumbled, you could say, right at the finish line. But she’ll learn from them, become more experienced, stronger.

Nadezhda Petrova said during her interview with Championat

A Calendar Grand Slam means winning all four Majors in a single calendar year. In the Open Era, only two players have completed the Calendar Grand Slam: Rod Laver in 1969 and Steffi Graf in 1988.

Perhaps she’ll be more relaxed about different situations on the court, less stressed out, so that these emotions don’t get in the way. She’s certainly gained tremendous confidence this season. I think Aryna will start next year with that confidence as well.

Nadezhda Petrova added

Sabalenka has won multiple Majors in a single year just once. Last year, she took home the Australian Open and the US Open.

Aryna Sabalenka on who is the GOAT of tennis

During a rapid-fire round with TNT Sports, Aryna Sabalenka was asked who is the Greatest of All Time in tennis. Without a second thought, she said, “Novak Djokovic, no doubt.“

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/We Are Tennis)

Sabalenka shares a great bond with the 24-time Grand Slam champion, and they have often playfully challenged each other while practicing together. They also mocked each other through dancing during the French Open this year.

Djokovic reached just three finals this year. After losing the Miami Open to Jakub Mensik, the Serbian great took home two ATP 250 titles, at the Geneva Open and the Hellenic Championship, by defeating Hubert Hurkacz and Lorenzo Musetti, respectively.

In Grand Slam events, the 38-year-old made every semifinal. An injury forced him to give the walkover to eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open, while Jannik Sinner knocked him out at the French Open and Wimbledon. At the US Open, eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz eliminated him.

Djokovic, for the second consecutive time, skipped the ATP Finals, where he has won seven titles, the most on the men’s tour. He will continue his hunt for his record 25th Grand Slam title next year.

Djokovic also plans to play the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The last Big Title that the Serb lifted was the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal by defeating Alcaraz. His last Grand Slam title was the 2023 US Open, which he won by going past Daniil Medvedev. Since then, he made a Major final just once – at the 2024 Wimbledon, which he lost to Alcaraz in straight sets.

Also read: Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim Wonder Whether Players Will ‘Sit Out’ of Majors to Leverage Prize Money Increase