In her opening match at the Mutua Madrid Open, Aryna Sabalenka showcased a developing side of her game beyond brute force. Against Anna Blinkova, she effectively used drop shots to win the first two games and employed a surprising serve-and-volley play to secure a fifth consecutive game. This integration of variety is increasingly evident in Sabalenka`s powerful style and is a key reason for her ascent to the World No. 1 ranking.
These tactical additions, such as more frequent net approaches and drop shots, are expected to be prominent throughout her Madrid campaign. Sabalenka began with a solid 6-3, 6-4 victory over qualifier Blinkova and is scheduled to face No. 28 seed Elise Mertens next.
Speaking before the tournament, Sabalenka reflected on incorporating these shots on clay. “I think maybe on clay it’s a bit easier because the game overall is a bit slower,” she said. “You have extra time.” However, she also noted the complexity. “I don’t know, at the same time it’s easier and harder because I have more time and I have more options in my head,” she added with a laugh, “and sometimes I get confused.”
Despite currently leading the rankings by a significant margin, Sabalenka admits she is still learning how to best blend tactical diversity into her previously power-focused approach.
“It’s a learning process and I’m not afraid to make mistakes,” Sabalenka stated. “I think with time I will learn how to make the right decisions. It’s going to benefit my game. I think on the clay court, it’s like a good practice with those shots. You just have to make sure you pick the right one at the right moment.”
Strategic Evolution: Moving Forward
This focus on developing new elements isn`t new. Last autumn, her coach, Anton Dubrov, spoke about the ongoing search for ways Sabalenka could improve her game.
“We’re trying,” he commented, “to find somewhere we can be better.”
This mirrors their past success in addressing challenges. Two years ago, double faults plagued her game. By adding a biomechanics specialist, they drastically improved her serve stats, which coincided with her winning multiple Grand Slams on hard courts.
Now, the current strategic emphasis is on moving forward to the net.
Dubrov acknowledges the simplicity of advice like “finish on the net” but highlights the difficulty of execution. “That’s good advice… That’s also great advice,” he said, referring to avoiding double faults. “It’s got to be at the right time. What is the structure of the point? Within your mind, you have to finish the point at net.”
Statistics confirm a notable increase in Sabalenka’s net approaches between 2021 and 2024, a trend Dubrov described as a “big jump.” In 2024, she ranked among the top players for successful net approaches, alongside players known for coming forward effectively.
Variety Amplifies Power
This trend is welcomed by tennis icon Martina Navratilova, a pioneer of aggressive net play. She often criticizes players who don`t capitalize on their power by finishing points quickly at the net, having previously mentioned both Iga Swiatek and Sabalenka in this regard.
Navratilova stresses the importance of this development for Sabalenka. “It’s huge,” she said, “because the margins are so small. By not moving forward you’re allowing the other player to get back into the rally. And then you have to start over. You are improving the odds of winning the point by moving forward and hitting the right shot — and, therefore, improving your odds of winning the match. Every little bit helps.”
“Whether you make the shot or not — you’re trying. But moving forward or not, that’s a choice. Sabalenka’s volley has gotten better. She’s got more variety. It’s great to have that much power, but when you add variety to it — that power pays off even more.”
Jessica Pegula, who recently played Sabalenka, has also observed the change. “She’s moving a lot better, and I think being a little bit more creative on court,” Pegula noted. “So all of a sudden, it’s not just her power, it’s a lot of these other things that she’s doing better that maybe used to be weaknesses. So I think she’s just all around has stepped up a lot of things.”
Carolina Garcia, another powerful player, agrees that modern fitness allows for better court coverage. She explains that strong shots often result in shorter replies from opponents, creating opportunities to move forward and finish points more efficiently and with less risk compared to staying on the baseline.
Dubrov estimates the integration of these new strategies is currently around 50-60% complete, emphasizing that consistent small improvements in areas like net approaches can lead to significant overall gains.
Mastering the Drop Shot
Sabalenka herself has highlighted the evolution of her game, mentioning her improved ability to approach the net and use touch shots like the drop shot, adding variation to her arsenal.
The challenge wasn`t practicing the drop shot, but using it effectively in matches. She revealed that an injury forced her to use it more often out of necessity during a match against Elina Svitolina, which served as effective “match training.”
“The only option for me was to finish the point as soon as possible,” Sabalenka recalled. “I was like, `You know what, I’m going to go for the drop shots.’ I think the best training is training on the match. After that match I was like, `Oh, actually it’s working, probably we have to work on that shot more often.’”
She expressed surprise at finally mastering the shot, believing she previously lacked the necessary touch. Now, she feels it`s a reliable option in her game.
The element of surprise is crucial, especially against opponents positioned deep behind the baseline. Sabalenka recognizes this opportunity. “When I see the opponent is really way far behind,” she said, “I’m like, `OK, I’ll just make them move.’ I’m really happy that finally, finally I learned this shot.”
“I kind of have control, which is crazy to say, to be honest. Yeah, that’s just good to have, isn’t it for me? For me, not for my opponent.”
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth