Eye of the Coach #94: “Sabalenka hits faster than Sinner and Alcaraz? I’m not surprised”
In the latest episode of the Tennis Majors show, Patrick Mouratoglou explains why the Belarusian topped the speed stats at the US Open
It’s a statistic that hasn’t gone unnoticed. During the US Open, Aryna Sabalenka found herself at the top of an unexpected ranking. The Belarusian, who won the tournament, was the player with the fastest forehand speed of the fortnight, on average, ahead of… Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic.
Renowned for her devastating ball power, Sabalenka devoured all her opponents in New York this year. Can you imagine her hitting the ball faster than the best male players? Patrick Mouratoglou is not surprised.
‘I’ve seen the statistics that say Aryna Sabalenka’s forehand and backhand speed is faster than that of the best male players. I may surprise you but this Sabalenka statistic doesn’t surprise me,” he says.
“That’s down to her power. She has incredible natural power and she hits the ball at full power. But also her style of play, which is extremely aggressive, consisting of taking the ball early and at full power with less spin than the men,” explained the Frenchman.
Mouratoglou also explains that this statistic is linked to the quality of movement, with players moving faster than women.
“When you’re a female tennis player, it’s logical that you play faster and hit the ball harder with less spin because your opponent will be in trouble. Not all of them, like Coco Gauff for example, but most of them. So it makes sense to take more risks, to attack on every return, to play closer to the net and faster with less spin.”
KEY MOMENTS
0’01: Sabalenka’s forehand speed is no surprise
0’18: This can be explained by the combination of her power and aggressive style of play.
0’36: Unlike female players, male players put more spin on the ball
0’50: Women hit with less spin, so they are often faster.
0’59: Men move faster than women
1’12: It makes sense to take more risk in women’s tennis.
1’40: Sabalenka plays high-risk tennis, so she hits hard.
