Aryna Sabalenka, the World No. 2 and defending champion of the 2024 Madrid Open, has offered her unique tennis perspective. In a pre-tournament press conference, she stated that she likes to watch men’s tennis over women’s.
In an interview with The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter), Sabalenka went beyond discussing her place among the WTA’s “Big Three,” revealing a preference for watching the men’s game.
Aryna Sabalenka says she prefers watching men’s tennis over women’s tennis:
"I feel that I have lowered the level a little within that hypothetical 'Big Three', this last month seems more like a Big Two (laughs). However, I am happy to be part of this group. I hope to maintain… pic.twitter.com/WLYzkdkhRR
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 23, 2024
Aryna Sabalenka on the WTA’s “Big Three”
The interview initially focused on Aryna Sabalenka’s position within the hypothetical “Big Three” of the women’s tour, alongside Iga Swiatek and Ons Jabeur. While acknowledging her recent dip in form, Sabalenka maintained a positive outlook: “I feel that I have lowered the level a little within that hypothetical ‘Big Three’, this last month seems more like a Big Two (laughs). However, I am happy to be part of this group. I hope to maintain my level and that they keep playing this way.”
However, it was Aryna Sabalenka’s following comments that truly grabbed headlines. The interviewer noted Sabalenka doesn’t watch her fellow competitors’ matches. Her reasoning? A preference for the men’s game: “I don’t watch their matches… I feel like I’ve played against them enough and that, if I face one of them again, my coach is going to show me images of their matches to analyze and prepare me. I’m not someone who watches too much tennis, I prefer to watch men’s tennis rather than women’s tennis, I feel like there is more strategy and it’s more interesting to watch (laughs).”
Aryna Sabalenka’s comments have drawn criticism from fans and pundits alike. Many view her remarks as disrespectful to her fellow WTA players and dismissive of the strategic complexities of women’s tennis. Social media has been abuzz with commentary, with some fans questioning Sabalenka’s understanding of the women’s game.
While Aryna Sabalenka’s preference for the men’s game is a personal choice, the notion that the women’s game lacks strategy is debatable. The women’s tour features a diverse set of playing styles, from the powerful baseline game of Iga Swiatek to the crafty slice and drop shots of Bianca Andreescu. Strategic thinking and adaptation are crucial for success at the highest level of women’s tennis.
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