John McEnroe compares Serena Williams to Aryna Sabalenka and picks out big difference

Aryna Sabalenka may hold two of this year’s Grand Slams, but Serena Williams still reigns supreme in tennis’ all-time category.

That’s according to sporting legend John McEnroe, who has pinpointed the one key difference between the newly-crowned US Open champion and the retired icon.

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Sabalenka lifted her third Grand Slam title with a 7-5 7-5 victory over American Jessica Pegula in Flushing Meadows, rounding off an incredible fortnight where her biggest strengths were on full display.

Known for her powerful style, the Belarussian took this to the next level in New York, with her average topspin forehand speed of 129km/h the highest in the entire tournament.

This statistic placed her ahead of stars Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and tournament champion Jannick Sinner.

Despite this however, McEnroe believes that Williams, herself a fierce striker of the ball, would have the beating of Sabalenka in her prime.

Speaking at a Eurosport event ahead of the women’s final, he compared the two, before highlighting where he believes the all-time great would edge the current world number two.

The seven-time major winner said: “Those are two of the biggest hitters that ever played in the women’s game.

“I think Sabalenka has really improved her movement, but I don’t think, both at their best, that she is as athletic as Serena. But she is getting closer.

“I have a lot of respect for her because she has really maximized what she can do on the court and that’s why she is finally winning majors and competing in almost every event she is in.”

Lauded by many as the greatest female tennis player of all time, Williams won 23 Grand Slam titles in her stellar career, and is credited with driving the women’s game into a new era of athleticism.

Before retiring from the sport at the 2022 US Open, the legendary figure was victorious in her only professional encounter with Sabalenka at the 2021 Australian Open.

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Then aged 23, Sabalenka has enjoyed an impressive rise in the three years since.

After winning her first Grand Slam at the 2023 Australian Open, she followed this up with a second major trophy when she successfully defended her title against Zheng Qinwen in this year’s final in Melbourne.

Meanwhile, her latest success over home favorite Pegula in the Arthur Ashe Stadium has allowed her to banish some past demons.

In the 2023 title decider, Sabalenka was beaten by another American, Coco Gauff 2-6 6-3 6-2, and she shared her delight at bouncing back from the disappointment in this year’s event.

Speaking after her victory, the 26-year-old said: “I’m speechless right now, because so many times I was so close to getting the US Open title.

“It’s a dream of mine, and finally I’ve got this beautiful trophy.”

Having let a 3-0 lead slip in the second set against Pegula, she admitted to being relieved when she was able to survive a spirited fightback from her opponent to clinch a hard-fought victory.

Sabalenka continued: “That second set, I was literally praying to get this win. It means a lot.

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“I remember all those tough losses in the past here. I’m just super proud of myself, and I never say that, but I am. I’m super proud of myself and my team.

“No matter what situations we were faced this season and in the past, we were able to go through it and get these beautiful trophies.”

With all of the year’s Grand Slam titles accounted for, Sabalenka will now set her sights on finishing 2024 as the world number one, where she faces a battle with Iga Swiatek for top spot, who currently occupies first place in the WTA rankings.