Aryna Sabalenka is the best player in the world today and maintains a healthy lead atop the world rankings.

No woman has won more WTA singles titles than Sabalenka in 2025, as she took home the Brisbane International, Miami Open, and Madrid Open.

She has, however, failed to get over the line at the Grand Slam events, losing two finals to Madison Keys (Australian Open) and Coco Gauff (French Open), and one semifinal to Amanda Anisimova (Wimbledon).

Aryna Sabalenka wipes away tears after losing to Madison Keys in the 2025 Australian Open finalPhoto by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Despite her major shortcomings, Sabalenka remains world number one, and leads number two Gauff by over 4,500 points.

She’s top of the world right now, but that hasn’t always been the case, as the Belarusian now explains why she almost retired from tennis three years ago.

Aryna Sabalenka thought her serving struggles were a ‘sign’ for her to retire in 2022

During an interview with Cosmopolitan, Sabalenka reflected on the struggles she faced in 2022 that nearly made her quit.

“It was such a long process. A lot of tennis is in your head. You’re always talking to yourself and dealing with emotional moments,” she said.

“We truly tried everything to fix my serve, and nothing worked.

“I thought maybe it was a sign to quit and do something else.”

Aryna Sabalenka reacts during her defeat to Amanda Anisimova at Wimbledon in 2025Photo by Tim Clayton/Getty Images

Sabalenka’s serve was once a point of weakness in her game, as she often offered up several double faults to her opponents.

Working hard to address that area of her game, Sabalenka chose to stick with tennis, a decision that has clearly paid off.

“But it ended up being a turning point for me. I stayed with it, worked even harder, and mentally, I found myself. I got through by trying over and over again.

“I talked a lot with my team and brought new people into the team. It’s very important to have the right people around you, especially during those moments. It’s all about support.”

Fixing her serve, Sabalenka has competed in six Grand Slam finals since, winning three, becoming world number one in the process.

Sabalenka may be ranked number one in the world, but how does her new and improved serve compare to the rest of her WTA Tour rivals?

Comparing Aryna Sabalenka’s serve to the rest of the WTA Tour

There are several key metrics used to determine the quality of a player’s serve, including the number of aces hit, 1st Serve %, and Service game winning %.

Sabalenka ranks well in most key metrics in 2025, which could not be said for her three years ago.

Aryna Sabalenka’s serving stats in 2025

Aryna Sabalenka prepares to serve the ball to Marketa Vondrousova at the 2025 Berlin OpenPhoto by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty ImagesAryna Sabalenka’s serving stats in 2022

Improving as much as she has, it’s truly no surprise that Sabalenka has developed into the best player in the world.

She will hope her serve continues to impress at Flushing Meadows next month, when she returns to defend her US Open title.

Three-times a Grand Slam champion, Sabalenka has already missed out on two chances to add to her tally in 2025, as she remains the fourth most successful ‘active’ WTA star.

Rank Name Grand Slams won Years won 1 Venus Williams 7 2000-2008 2 Iga Swiatek 6 2020-2025 3 Naomi Osaka 4 2018-2021 4 Aryna Sabalenka 3 2023-2024 T-5 Coco Gauff 2 2023-2025 T-5 Barbora Krejcikova 2 2021-2024 T-5 Petra Kvitova 2 2011-2014 T-5 Victoria Azarenka 2 2012-2013

List of ‘active’ multiple WTA Grand Slam winners

Only time will tell if Sabalenka can pick up a fourth Grand Slam title in New York, but it will certainly be worth tuning in for.

The 2025 US Open is scheduled to begin on Sunday, August 24.