Aryna Sabalenka has transformed her game over the past two years to become the world’s best player.
The Belarusian sits atop the WTA Tour rankings with a comfortable lead over her rivals, and she is showing no signs of relinquishing that crown any time soon.
Furthermore, she has three Grand Slam titles to her name and Sabalenka is aiming to add a fourth to her list of achievements.
The 27-year-old is two matches away from claiming her first French Open championship, on a surface that was not previously a strength.
Caroline Wozniacki says what has changed about Aryna Sabalenka’s game
Aryna Sabalenka was a tennis player who always possessed great power and explosiveness.
But the World number one has since evolved her game to incorporate more slices, drop shots and better movement.
This has made her a lethal opponent for her rivals, and this is something TNT Sports commentator Caroline Wozniacki mentioned, as the Dane explained how Sabalenka’s game has developed since their meetings in 2018 and 2019.
“I think what I am most impressed with you about is that you have always been a great player,” Wozniacki said.
“Even when you were very young, you are still young but very young, I got to play you a few times when you were coming up and we had some tough battles.
“But I always would expect you would give me one game here or overhit it if I get an extra ball back or an extra ball deep.
“But that does not feel like it’s the case any more. I feel like your speed has improved to get to position better and that doesn’t stress you out to stay in the rally for a longer time.”
Sabalenka and Wozniacki played against one another three times in their careers.
In 2018, Wozniacki needed two tiebreaks to defeat Sabalenka in the Eastbourne Championships final, before Sabalenka came from behind to beat the former World number one in Montreal.
In 2019 they played at Eastbourne again, and Sabalenka repeated the trick by coming from a set down to claim victory. Reflecting on their past encounters, Sabalenka said of Wozniacki: “I have to say that when we first started playing you were incredible!
“It always annoyed me with all the balls coming back on my side but back then I wasn’t that confident in my physical abilities and I was always trying to finish the point. I was rushing to be honest.
“Now as you mentioned physically I am stronger and I know I am ready to play as long as needed, and that’s why I’m more calm on court and sometimes I am not over hitting the ball.
“I am giving myself a bit more time and try to open up the court a bit more, so I have definitely improved a lot in that aspect.”
