Expectations for Aryna Sabalenka in 2024

[Aabye5]

The WTA is at critical turning point with a clearly dominant number 1 under the age of 25 and a set of top 5 players who have distanced themselves from the pack.

Iga Swiatek boasted a commanding 1.41 dominance ratio in 2023 according to Tennis Abstract, and shows no signs of slowing down. Where does that leave Aryna Sabalenka? With a 1.23 dominance ratio, she is ahead of her peers, but well behind Swiatek.

1) Will she be able to defend her first major title in Melbourne?
2) At any point next year do you expect her to reclaim the number 1 ranking?
3) Do other players start to close the gap between her and Swiatek or do they pull ahead and create a duopoly?

 

[NeutralFan]

Don't care about WTA , sorry son!

Even as a male feminist I can't find myself invested in WTA, you can imagine the state of women's tennis.

 

[Federev]

I'm a fan. She radiates inside and out.

She's smart, funny, seems down to earth, and super fun and - when she's on - she's amazingly strong.

She needs to learn how to do more than hit the ball as hard as possible, but I hope she and Reba crush it next year.

 

[Dwell]

The WTA is at critical turning point with a clearly dominant number 1 under the age of 25 and a set of top 5 players who have distanced themselves from the pack.

Iga Swiatek boasted a commanding 1.41 dominance ratio in 2023 according to Tennis Abstract, and shows no signs of slowing down. Where does that leave Aryna Sabalenka? With a 1.23 dominance ratio, she is ahead of her peers, but well behind Swiatek.

1) Will she be able to defend her first major title in Melbourne?
2) At any point next year do you expect her to reclaim the number 1 ranking?
3) Do other players start to close the gap between her and Swiatek or do they pull ahead and create a duopoly?

 

[nolefam_2024]

I'm a fan. She radiates inside and out.

She's smart, funny, seems down to earth, and super fun and - when she's on - she's amazingly strong.

She needs to learn how to do more than hit the ball as hard as possible, but I hope she and Reba crush it next year.

Reliability. Which player can bring it?

 

[Federev]

Reliability. Which player can bring it?

I guess Iga. She's been the most dominant story for a few years now.

But I just enjoy Saba as a person.

So I'm hoping she can find more "quality of shot" to match her "weight of shot".

 

[nolefam_2024]

I guess Iga. She's been the most dominant story for a few years now.

But I just enjoy Saba as a person.

So I'm hoping she can find more "quality of shot" to match her "weight of shot".

Only one who could bring reliability after Serena was Kerber I think. I loved Halep but even she will eat bagels out of nowhere.

 

[Shaolin]

I expect the unexpected.

 

[tex123]

Expectations? Giraffe will grow an inch taller.

 

[Musterrific]

I hope she loses her voice.

 

[tjanev]

Only way to watch her matches is on mute

 

[tennis3]

A really big birthday cake. Bigger than Alcaraz.

 

[Azure]

Definitely at least a slam final. If she gets over her yips maybe a slam.

LOL at all those who claim they don’t care - they actually clicked on this thread.

 

[coolcamden]

Saby needs to learn to be more patient and less bull-headed. Her UE’s and other mistakes contributed to 67% of all points Coco got in the USO finals. If Saby was just more flexible, she would have won. 2024 is gonna be much harder. If NO comes back with a purpose and don’t screw up, she’d quickly reclaim a top 5 spot.

Funny how some went on a WTA post to post that they don’t care. Really?! You just look like an attention “look at me” hound.

 

[Azure]

Funny how some went on a WTA post to post that they don’t care. Really?! You just look like an attention “look at me” hound.

Lots of extremely blunt tools in this shed

 

[ChrisJR3264]

2 GS finals and 2 Semis. One grand slam.
Excellent accomplishments in 2024. Her , rybakana and coco put a lid on Igas dominance.

It’s going to be tough for her to win a slam this year. But she can. She’s motivated and committed to getting better physically and mentally. Which is scary for the rest of the tour bc she’s quite the player already.

 

[Mark-Touch]

Don't care about WTA , sorry son!

Even as a male feminist I can't find myself invested in WTA, you can imagine the state of women's tennis.

That's all well and good.
I don't care about ATP, sorry son!
But I don't pop into random ATP threads and state that.

Why try to spoil a perfectly good thread, essentially denouncing the WTA?

I follow the WTA almost exclusively and no party pooper is going to spoil my enjoyment.

 

[NeutralFan]

That's all well and good.
I don't care about ATP, sorry son!
But I don't pop into random ATP threads and state that.

Why try to spoil a perfectly good thread, essentially denouncing the WTA?

I follow the WTA almost exclusively and no party pooper is going to spoil my enjoyment.

Son? Not cool to call your Papa son , dude I was literally watching tennis when your weren't even born. Also, I have seen you in ATP threads so don't lie lol.

 

[Mark-Touch]

I hope she loses her voice.

You just gave me an idea.
I think I might open up a tennis academy.
I'll call it 'Shouters Anonymous'.
Its purpose should be obvious.

I could make a killing.

 

[Mark-Touch]

Son? Not cool to call your Papa son , dude I was literally watching tennis when your weren't even born. Also, I have seen you in ATP threads so don't lie lol.

You want a scrap? I'm game.

You do not know may age.

Reading comprehension not your forte?
I said "I follow the WTA almost exclusively..."

Oh and one last thing. You do not belong in this thread if you really "Don't care about WTA".

 

[NeutralFan]

You want a scrap? I'm game.

You do not know may age.

Reading comprehension not your forte?
I said "I follow the WTA almost exclusively..."

I don't care what you follow, son! I have my opinion and don't poke nose in it. I was a WTA fan but it has got so bad in last 10 years or so . I was a bigge WTA fan than ATP in 2000s when there were so many great players and legends playing. Cheers!

 

[Mark-Touch]

I don't care what you follow, son! I have my opinion and don't poke nose in it. I was a WTA fan but it has got so bad in last 10 years or so . I was a bigge WTA fan than ATP in 2000s when there were so many great players and legends playing. Cheers!

If you're just reminiscing about the 2000's and not the 60's, 70's, or 80's then you probably are old enough to be my son!
So please have more respect in what you call me.

 

[Born_to_slice]

I expect her to stfu with screaming on court and de-frog her lips. I know, not realistic but hey...

 

[NeutralFan]

If you're just reminiscing about the 2000's and not the 60's, 70's, or 80's then you probably are old enough to be my son!
So please have more respect in what you call me.

Son , learn to read well. I said WTA became boring after 2000s. Why shall I stop watching WTA after 80s when we had a great 90s and 2000s? Lol. When it became good I'll watch.

 

[Mark-Touch]

I don't care what you follow, son! I have my opinion and don't poke nose in it. I was a WTA fan but it has got so bad in last 10 years or so . I was a bigge WTA fan than ATP in 2000s when there were so many great players and legends playing. Cheers!

Son , learn to read well. I said WTA became boring after 2000s. Why shall I stop watching WTA after 80s when we had a great 90s and 2000s? Lol. When it became good I'll watch.

I will let the more literate members here determine who has reading problems, you or I.

 

[legcramp]

Son? Not cool to call your Papa son , dude I was literally watching tennis when your weren't even born. Also, I have seen you in ATP threads so don't lie lol.

okay boomer

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

Her screams will reach 120 decibels. Tops on tour. She should be proud.

 

[Aabye5]

I think she defends in Melbourne, but it will be a great story if the final features both Sabalenka and Swiatek.

Not convinced anyone is taking back the number 1 next year, Iga seems to have sown up already, although if enough players put a resistance (at least the top 4 or 5 players ranked below her) there could be a brief interlude after Wimbledon when she cedes it back to Aryna.

Definitely think that it's more likely Coco or someone takes over the number 2 ranking than that Aryna takes over the number 1 ranking.

 

[RaulRamirez]

I expect her to be loud...and also very good.
Her overall movement and fitness has improved, she can outslug anyone from the baseline, and if she loses the occasional yips on her serve, she's a threat to win anywhere.

 

[Dwell]

Definitely at least a slam final. If she gets over her yips maybe a slam.

LOL at all those who claim they don’t care - they actually clicked on this thread.

Sometimes I'll find a meme on the Internet and then look for ttw threads where it can be used lol
I really like Sabalenka's personality, love her friendship with Badosa. Her game is okay but she moves too poorly to be pleasing to watch.

 

[Teg7]

Does anyone watch Sabalenka's games? I can't stand Sabalenka, I don't like her face and even less her game!

 

[Mark-Touch]

Sometimes I'll find a meme on the Internet and then look for ttw threads where it can be used lol
I really like Sabalenka's personality, love her friendship with Badosa. Her game is okay but she moves too poorly to be pleasing to watch.

Yeah, like Serena moved like a cheetah in comparison. LOL !!!

 

[Dwell]

Yeah, like Serena moved like a cheetah in comparison. LOL !!!

I never said I liked watching Serena lol, I liked Radwanska, was a HUGE fan of Barty , now have to settle with Iga and Jabeur.

 

[Aabye5]

Two Slams for Sabalenka this year, but I don't see anyone disputing her ranking, unlike the Alcaraz-Zverev debate

It seems fair to say that their is now a duopoly on the WTA, even moreso than on the ATP.

 

[Shaolin]

Two Slams for Sabalenka this year, but I don't see anyone disputing her ranking, unlike the Alcaraz-Zverev debate

It seems fair to say that their is now a duopoly on the WTA, even moreso than on the ATP.

Feel free to elaborate on this.

 

[Aabye5]

Feel free to elaborate on this.

Some are saying that because Zverev didn't win a major this year that Alcaraz is the second best player of the year.

 

[Shaolin]

Some are saying that because Zverev didn't win a major this year that Alcaraz is the second best player of the year.

Interesting… thanks