Aryna Sabalenka is having the kind of breakout season that most tennis players can only dream of. With four titles under her belt in 2024, including two Grand Slam victories, the Belarusian star is not only dominating the women’s tennis circuit but also edging closer to overtaking Iga Swiatek as the World No. 1. Sabalenka’s fierce game, powerful serve, and relentless energy on the court have captured the attention of fans, players, and tennis experts alike. Among those praising her achievements is American tennis legend Jimmy Connors, but in true Connors style, he didn’t just offer routine compliments. Instead, he made a comparison that’s been turning heads in the tennis world.
During the October 16 episode of his podcast *Advantage Connors*, which he co-hosts with his son Brett Connors, the 8-time Grand Slam champion discussed Sabalenka’s impressive year. The conversation ranged across topics, including the recently concluded Shanghai Masters and Wuhan Open, but it was Sabalenka’s season that drew a particularly interesting comment. Jimmy Connors compared her accomplishments to those of ATP World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, one of the top players on the men’s circuit.
“She is on kind of a semi-Sinner role,” Connors said during the podcast. “The year that she has had also has been pretty amazing. Two slams, I mean.” Brett Connors was quick to point out that Sabalenka’s titles mirrored some of Sinner’s achievements this year, noting, “And the same ones as Sinner got.” The comparison between Sabalenka and Sinner might seem surprising at first, but both players have demonstrated extraordinary dominance on hard courts in 2024, winning multiple major titles and delivering standout performances in prestigious tournaments.
Sabalenka’s trophy haul this season includes her victories at the Australian Open and the US Open, both of which also saw Sinner emerge victorious on the men’s side. In addition to these Grand Slam triumphs, both Sabalenka and Sinner have claimed titles at the Cincinnati Masters, further highlighting their shared success on hard courts. Sabalenka’s most recent triumph came at the Wuhan Open, while Sinner took the title at the Shanghai Masters. Jimmy Connors pointed out that while Sabalenka has four titles to her name this year, Sinner has gone one step further, collecting seven trophies so far in 2024.
What makes this comparison particularly noteworthy is the dominance that both players have shown in a season where their hard court prowess has been on full display. Their ability to perform under pressure, coupled with their consistent success in major tournaments, is what makes them two of the standout players on both the men’s and women’s tours. However, this is not the first time Connors has heaped praise on Sabalenka, or compared her achievements to those of male players.
Back in September, following Sabalenka’s victory at the US Open, Connors spoke on his podcast about her powerful game, singling out her serve as a crucial aspect of her success. “She doesn’t really choke on her serve anymore,” Connors said at the time. “Her game is powerful. There’s a stat I think, after four, five rounds in the tournament, that the biggest forehand miles per hour was Sabby, even with the men. Like 90 miles an hour something per forehand.” Connors’ observations about Sabalenka’s powerful forehand—compared even to her male counterparts—underscore just how complete and intimidating her game has become.
But Connors isn’t the only tennis veteran who has taken notice of Sabalenka’s meteoric rise. Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs, has also been effusive in her praise for the Belarusian, not just for her on-court prowess but also for her sportsmanship and maturity. On the October 15 episode of *The Rennae Stubbs Podcast*, the former player and coach recounted an admirable moment from Sabalenka during the post-match interview at the Wuhan Open, after her match against Coco Gauff.
Gauff, who struggled with her serve during the match, hitting 21 double faults, was visibly frustrated following her loss to Sabalenka. However, Sabalenka went out of her way to offer words of encouragement to the young American star, telling her that she had been in the same position before and that Gauff was on her way to becoming one of the best players in the world. “She was like, ‘You know, I have been there; I know what it feels like. And once she gets that out of her system or figures out a way to get the serve in the court, she is going to be the best player,’” Stubbs recalled.
Stubbs emphasized the significance of Sabalenka’s gesture, particularly for a young player like Gauff, who would have been heartened to hear such positive reinforcement from one of the top players in the game. “If I am Coco, I would have been like, ‘Oh Damn! If this player who is arguably the best player in the world right now thinks that about me, then I’m on the right path.’ That was a really great moment in sports for being a generous opponent,” Stubbs remarked.
As the 2024 season heads into its final stretch, all eyes are on Sabalenka as she aims to solidify her spot as the top player in the world. While she has already achieved tremendous success, the WTA Finals in Riyadh loom as the next major test for the Belarusian. The year-end championship will offer Sabalenka the chance to further prove her dominance and possibly claim the coveted World No. 1 ranking. With her powerful game, mental toughness, and the respect of her peers and tennis legends alike, Sabalenka is poised to finish the season on a high.
However, tennis is an unpredictable sport, and as Connors noted in his podcast, Sabalenka and Sinner both face fierce competition as the year winds down. Can Sabalenka maintain her form and dethrone Swiatek at the WTA Finals? Will she continue to rise as one of the most powerful players on the women’s tour? Only time will tell, but if her 2024 season is any indication, Aryna Sabalenka is well on her way to even greater heights.