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In the ever-evolving world of tennis, where competition is reaching new heights and the interest in women's sports is on the rise, a fascinating comparison has emerged between the ATP and the WTA. Be it the allure of prize money or the emergence of remarkable talent, these two tours share numerous similarities. Currently, the WTA rankings table is led by the indomitable Aryna Sabalenka, who has been having an extraordinary 2024 season. Earlier today, a highly respected data analyst, Shane Liyanage, drew attention to the Belarusian star's distinct quality that sets her apart in the tennis realm.
Unconventional Pace in Women's Tennis
Traditionally, the pace of men's tennis has been regarded as higher than that of the women's game. However, when Aryna Sabalenka steps onto the court, this notion is turned on its head. She is renowned as one of the hardest hitters of the tennis ball, and as a result, the pace of her shots, particularly her forehands, often surpasses that of some ATP players. This unique aspect was brought to light by Liyanage during his in-depth analysis.In an interview with Punto de Break earlier today, he shared, "It's truly astonishing how similar the speed can be. Once you remove the serve, the differences aren't as pronounced. The spin on the balls in men's tennis is significantly greater than in women's. For instance, at the US Open, Aryna's forehand was hitting faster than many men. The women's game tends to be more linear, while the men's incorporates more lateral movements. Men are more adept at hitting different angles and varying the height, whereas female players focus more on using the width of the court."To provide a clearer perspective, Sabalenka boasted the fastest average forehand speeds at the US Open. She averaged an impressive 80 MPH on her forehands, leaving players like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic in the dust. Their average speeds were 79 MPH, 78 MPH, and 76 MPH respectively. When she became aware of this unique statistic, the Belarusian expressed her disbelief, saying, "I saw my stats on my forehand and I honestly can't fathom how it can be that fast. It feels a bit strange being at the top and hitting even harder than the guys. It's a really interesting piece of data."Coco Gauff's Flaw vs Sabalenka's Strength
The American sensation, Coco Gauff, has often faced criticism for her subpar service technique, especially in recent times. This season, she has committed numerous double faults during crucial matches, which has been a significant factor in her losses. In contrast, double faults have not been an issue for Sabalenka, as her service has been one of her key strengths.Liyanage shed light on this aspect, stating, "There has been a notable transformation. This year has been a blessing as she could focus on enhancing other aspects of her tennis game. In the Australian Open, Aryna used to make an average of 20 double faults and still reached the fourth round. She would give her opponent 20 points due to double faults but still managed to win many matches. As a result, it's evident that other parts of her game have seen significant improvement."Sabalenka will commence her preparations for defending her Australian Open title at the Brisbane International next year. Will she be able to successfully defend her title down under? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
