This is an updated version of an article originally published in May 2024.
Life can change in a moment. For Aryna Sabalenka, one defining moment came five years ago when her father, Sergey, passed away suddenly at the age of 43. But there was another pivotal moment, less grave but equally significant, that altered the course of Sabalenka’s tennis career forever.
It was outside a stadium in Toronto in August 2022, after a devastating loss to Coco Gauff where Sabalenka served 18 double faults. Her serve, once a weapon, had become a liability, consistently failing her in crucial moments.
Sabalenka preparing to serve against Gauff in 2022 (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Sabalenka, sitting on the ground in Canada, had hit rock bottom. Despite numerous attempts to fix her serve, nothing had worked. That’s when her coach, Jason Stacy, issued a challenge – to rebuild her serve from scratch.
It was a terrifying prospect for Sabalenka, but one she embraced wholeheartedly. Fast forward two years, she found herself holding the U.S. Open trophy, a testament to her resilience and determination.
Remaking the serve is an isolating process (Andy Cheung/Getty Images)
Through intense training and biomechanical adjustments, Sabalenka transformed her game and emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the tennis world.
But Sabalenka’s journey goes beyond the tennis court. She has faced personal tragedies, professional challenges, and intense scrutiny, yet she has persevered with the unwavering support of her dedicated team.
Sabalenka embraces friend Paola Badosa during the Miami Open, which started just after Koltsov’s death (Robert Prange/Getty Images)
Despite the challenges she has faced, Sabalenka continues to rise, clinching Grand Slam titles and solidifying her position as one of the top players in women’s tennis.
GO DEEPER
Aryna Sabalenka wins Australian Open for second time, defeating Zheng Qinwen
