Tracy Austin reveals the crucial factors that made Aryna Sabalenka Australian Open champion
Tracy Austin believes Aryna Sabalenka's control over her emotions made a big difference.
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Tracy Austin, Aryna Sabalenka
The story of the turnaround of Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka is one of the most stunning ones in recent times. At the beginning of the last season, the 24-year-old struggled with her form, her serve was mediocre at its best with the high rate of double faults, and her confidence was low.
But with the onset of the 2023 seasons, everything changed for the Minsk resident. Sabalenka is now the Australian Open champion, she climbed to the second spot of the rankings and remains undefeated in the current season. Her serve is one of the most dangerous weapons she possesses now.
So what is behind this exceptional reversal of fortune of Sabalenka in twelve months? Tracy Austin, former World No. 1 and Hall of Famer, offered the answers in “Talking Tennis with Tracy” on the Tennis Channel. She believes there are some essential aspects of the game that she worked on along with the mindset. The 60-year-old points out how Sabalenka remained calm in the important moments of the tournament. Her trainer Jason Stacy also played an important role in the emotional aspect of her game.
The improved serve was the second thing that made all the difference for Sabalenka, Austin believes. “She got a biomechanical coach in the summer of last year. With the newfound calm, less anxiety, and more clarity in between points, I think her shot selection is better because now she has that belief.” Austin explained.
“Now that she has won one, she knows the key to how to win those seven matches over the two weeks. She has so much belief in herself and I think she is gonna win many more,” the two-time US Open champion added.
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Aryna Sabalenka to skip the Qatar Open
The Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from Qatar Open to give some time to refresh after the hectic Australian Open. She defeated Elena Rybakina in the final of the season’s first Grand Slam topping the dominating performance of the fortnight. The Doha event is a WTA 500 tournament and begins in on February 13.
This will give the World No. 1 Iga Swiatek a chance to remain at the top for 52 weeks. Sabalenka has competed in Doha three times so far in her career. She won the event in 2020 after defeating Petra Kvitova in the final. That was also her debut in Doha.
Earlier after winning the title Down Under, Sabalenka was overjoyed and joked about taking some time to realize the gravity of her achievement. “I still need a few days to realize what has happened. First of all, it’s a little relief that I have a Grand Slam. Second, it’s like a drug. I really want it again. It really motivates me a lot. I want even more and I want to become a better player,” Sabalenka has said.
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Abhinavendu Singh
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