When you’re at your peak, the best step is to compete with yourself. Grand Slam Winner, Aryna Sabalenka, is someone who has epitomized this saying. After her impressive 2023 season, the Belarusian is continuing to adorn the headlines, for various reasons. Aryna’s performance this year has been exceptional, except for her loss at the US Open. In light of that, she recently opened up about her defeat to the rising star Coco Gauff.

Aryna, in her earlier statement, cleared the air with a candid response. She acknowledged her mistakes that led to her defeat in the finals. As she turned emotional post-match, she spoke on that as well.

Aryna Sabalenka on her limited maneuverability prior to the 2023 season

The reigning World No.1 has vividly explained all the points she was failing at in her last statement. She mentioned her scattered thoughts, which were a major disadvantage. However, it seems Aryna has conquered her flaws this time around.

She said, “Before, I tried to hit the ball as hard as I could with my forehand. No one explained to me well all the tactical variants I could apply. I know that when I hit hard most of my opponents have to block my shots, but I also made too many mistakes & it frustrated me.”

Aryna Sabalenka acknowledges her previous one-dimensional approach. Hitting hard was a good stance, yet it invited a lot of mistakes. The Belarusian superstar recognizes the need for better tactical awareness. All of this, so she could minimize mistakes and enhance her game.

READ MORE: ‘Over-Emotional’ Aryna Sabalenka Makes Heart-Breaking Confession After Disappointing Loss to Coco Gauff – ‘I Wasn’t Controlling..’

After acknowledging the mistakes she made, Sabalenka remained optimistic. Her break after the US Open might be an important detail in this flow. She made her case based on the improvement she noticed within herself.

Sabalenka’s growth with a different approach

Sabalenka stresses the necessity for a different direction. Fortunately, she got some great advice which she took seriously.

“Everything changed when they recommended that I put more spin on the ball, that I look for changes in height at certain moments. I worked a lot on that & it’s fantastic to see the results coming.”

This statement highlights the importance of adaptability. Her continuous improvement in professional tennis is commendable. 2023 has been a rollercoaster ride for Sabalenka. She lost to Gauff and was named No. 1 in WTA, all in the same year. Her break seems reasonable since she is gaining a lot of insights. Looking at her statement, she seems focused on nothing else but improving herself.