It has been a dream start to the 2024 season for Aryna Sabalenka. After reaching the finals of the Brisbane International, she went one step ahead and successfully defended her Australian Open crown. The Belarusian tennis star defeated Qinwen Zheng in straight sets in the finals to lift the trophy Down Under. Following her victory, Sabalenka drew comparisons to the American tennis legend, Serena Williams.

Sabalenka has been much talked about in the tennis world ever since her Grand Slam victory Down Under. She reaped the benefits of hard work and performed brilliantly in the tournament. Here’s what was said about her.

Mats Wilander compares Aryna Sabalenka to Tennis Talisman

The Swedish tennis legend was in awe of Sabalenka’s variation on the court. Her different styles of winning points were on full display during the Australian Open. Wilander pointed out this change during Andy Zodin’s Kick Serve Radio podcast. Additionally, he compared this quality with Williams’ style of winning points.

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Wilander said, “I think that she’s understood that she can’t just win points one way. It’s got to be different ways and you look back even at someone like Serena Williams, when she decided to not miss, she decided not to miss. She decided to keep the ball in play a little bit longer because this is the right thing to do right now.”

Sabalenka has always idolized Williams and wants to follow in her footsteps. She grew up watching the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus. As a result, she often takes a leaf out of their book when it comes to adaptations on the court.

How Did Idol Serena Williams Teach Fangirl Aryna Sabalenka a Harsh Lesson at the Australian Open?

Further, Sabalenka was at her brutal best at the Australian Open. Her powerful serve and return game eventually made the difference. In the process, she also joined the elite company of her idol.

Sabalenka matches Williams’ feat

Not only did Sabalenka win the Australian Open title but also did it in a dominating fashion. She gave her opponents hardly any breathing space and had easy wins in most of her matches. Additionally, she won the title without dropping even a single set.

Since 2000, she became only the 5th woman to win the Grand Slam title Down Under without dropping a set. The other women to do so were Serena Williams, Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova, and Ashleigh Barty.

With this positive start, the season ahead looks bright for Sabalenka. Can she continue her winning run in the upcoming tournaments? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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