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).
Photo 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.”
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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.
- 2023 Australian Open F – Aryna Sabalenka beat Elena Rybakina
- 2023 US Open F – Aryna Sabalenka lost to Coco Gauff
- 2024 Australian Open F – Aryna Sabalenka beat Qinwen Zheng
- 2024 US Open F – Aryna Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula
- 2025 Australian Open F – Aryna Sabalenka lost to Madison Keys
- 2025 French Open F – Aryna Sabalenka lost to Coco Gauff
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
- Aces – 5th on WTA Tour
- 1st Serve % – 127th on WTA Tour
- 1st Serve points % – 24th on WTA Tour
- 2nd Serve points % – 20th on WTA Tour
- Serve points won % – 9th on WTA Tour
- Break points saved % – 20th on WTA Tour
- Serve games won % – 7th on WTA Tour
Photo by TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty ImagesAryna Sabalenka’s serving stats in 2022
- Aces – 6th on WTA Tour
- 1st Serve % – 207th on WTA Tour
- 1st Serve points % – 39th on WTA Tour
- 2nd Serve points % – 210th on WTA Tour
- Serve points won % – 85th on WTA Tour
- Break points saved % – 168th on WTA Tour
- Serve games won % – 80th on WTA Tour
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.
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.