The topic of who hits the ball harder in tennis, across the men’s and women’s tours, is a subject of frequent debate among fans and analysts alike. Recently, Victoria Azarenka, a prominent figure in women’s tennis, offered her perspective on this intriguing question, specifically comparing the power of Aryna Sabalenka and Tommy Paul.
Azarenka, who has considerable experience facing Sabalenka and observing Tommy Paul’s game, provided a nuanced analysis of their respective hitting styles. She delved into the complexities of power in tennis, suggesting that it’s not solely about the speed of the ball but also its “heaviness.” This concept refers to the ball’s impact and how it feels to the player receiving it.
According to Azarenka, there’s a distinction between players who generate speed and those who hit with heaviness. She articulated this by stating, “There’s two ways of looking at it, heaviness and speed, and I think there are people who can play faster, but not as heavy. Aryna plays heavy… and fast.” This highlights Azarenka’s view that Sabalenka possesses a rare combination of both these qualities.
When comparing Sabalenka and Paul, Azarenka offered specific observations about their forehands and backhands. She noted that while Tommy Paul can produce a heavy forehand, his backhand, though fast, lacks the same weight. “His backhand is not that heavy. Forehand can be heavy,” Azarenka explained. In contrast, she characterized Sabalenka’s shots as having both speed and weight on both sides, making her an exceptionally powerful hitter from anywhere on the court.
Azarenka’s assessment is supported by statistical data that underscores Sabalenka’s remarkable power. During a recent major tournament, Sabalenka’s average forehand speed was clocked at a level surpassing the average of top male players. This demonstrates that her power is not only exceptional within the women’s game but also comparable to, and in some cases exceeding, that of elite male competitors. It was also noted that Sabalenka’s forehand speeds were faster than some of the top ATP players.
These observations and statistics contribute to a broader understanding of the unique power dynamics in tennis. While male players are often perceived as generating more power, Azarenka’s analysis and the supporting data suggest that some female players, like Sabalenka, possess a level of power that challenges this conventional view.
As players continue to evolve, the lines between perceived notions of power in men’s and women’s tennis may become increasingly blurred. The ability to generate both speed and heaviness, as exemplified by Sabalenka, represents a significant advantage in the modern game.
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