Serena Williams Might Have Lost To Aryna Sabalenka At Her Peak Says Former WTA Star
NewsTuesday, 08 April 2025 at 02:00
Many consider Serena Williams the greatest WTA player in tennis history, but respected analyst Andrea Petkovic thinks Aryna Sabalenka's game could have overcome the American at her peak.
Sabalenka has a long road ahead to match Williams' incredible achievements. The tennis icon, who hung up her racket at the 2022 US Open, won 23 Grand Slams and dominated the WTA Tour during her legendary career.
Current world No. 1 Sabalenka has claimed three major titles, all on hard courts. Her exceptional 2024 season, including winning two Grand Slams, saw the Belarusian finish as the year-end No. 1 for the first time.
While many think Serena's peak has never been matched in the women's game, an argument can also be made that she raised the level and inspired the current generation so much that today's top players would have a chance.
Petkovic does not think stars like Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, or Mirra Andreeva could have beaten Williams in her prime. However, the former French Open semifinalist believes Sabalenka would have had a chance if she performed near her best.
"The only player I think could have beaten her (Serena Williams) at her peak, if I had to bet, I would always put my $100 on Aryna."
The surface used might have made a significant difference in a battle between Williams and Sabalenka. Both players are or were excellent on hard courts but not as dominant on clay, although Serena won the French Open three times.
Williams' grass court credentials blow Sabalenka's out of the water. She won Wimbledon seven times and was the runner-up on four other occasions. Sabalenka has yet to reach a final at SW19.
Petkovic also named one other player from tennis history who could have beaten prime Serena Williams. The German thinks 22-time Grand Slam champion Steffi Graf's slice would have caused Williams issues.
"But I do think on a random day, Steffi Graf could have beaten her, just because of the slice, where Serena would be bothered by disruption of rhythm however, because she lost to Vinci that year."
Making historical comparisons is never easy. Graf is undoubtedly one of the best and most significant players in tennis history, but the continued physical and technical development of players means those currently at the top might have surpassed her level from the past.
Players have much more information about staying healthy and access to technology that makes it easier for them to train more precisely and work on weaknesses than it was for past champions on the ATP and WTA Tours.
Williams' retirement at the 2022 US Open could have left a massive hole in the women's game. Fortunately, players like Sabalenka, Gauff, and Swiatek have stepped up and ensured that audience numbers worldwide continue to rise significantly.
Serena is the younger sister of seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams. Despite being 44 and recently dropping out of the WTA rankings, Venus has no immediate plans to end her own legendary career.
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