Aryna Sabalenka's Unique Ritual Continues at 2024 French Open

Aryna Sabalenka, the No. 2 seed at the 2024 French Open, has made headlines not just for her impressive performance on the court but also for her unique pre-match ritual. Sabalenka has continued her tradition of signing her fitness trainer Jason Stacy's bald head with a marker pen before each match.

This ritual, which began at the Australian Open, has coincided with a string of successes for the Belarusian player. Sabalenka explained the origin of the practice, saying, "It started from the beginning of the Australian Open. We all stand around. Me and Jason in the middle and I sign his head with, I don't know, classical music playing in the back."

Sabalenka's performance at the French Open has been stellar. She secured her spot in Week 2 by defeating her friend Paula Badosa 7-5, 6-1 in the third round. This victory marks her 15th career win at Roland-Garros and her second time reaching the second week in Paris.

Playing against a friend posed its challenges, as Sabalenka admitted, "It's tough to play your best friend. She's an incredible player, coming back after injury. I'm pretty sure she's going to be back at the top very soon." Despite the emotional difficulty, Sabalenka maintained her focus, stating, "I'm trying not to watch the other side, just trying to focus on myself and just bring my best game."

Sabalenka's game has been evolving, incorporating slices and drop shots to complement her powerful baseline play. She successfully employed this strategy in her victory over Badosa, hitting 11 drop shot winners across her three matches in Paris this week, including five in her latest match.

The match against Badosa lasted 77 minutes, with Sabalenka winning 16 of the final 20 points of the first set. Her next opponent will be either Madison Keys or Emma Navarro, as she continues her quest for her second Grand Slam title of the year.

Sabalenka's career in tennis has been marked by significant highs and lows. Five years ago, her father Sergey, a former ice hockey player, passed away suddenly at the age of 43. This personal tragedy had a profound impact on her life and career.

In August 2022, Sabalenka faced another challenge when she served 18 double faults in a three-set loss to Coco Gauff at the National Bank Open in Toronto. This low point led her coach, Jason Stacy, to challenge her to rebuild her serve from scratch, a daunting task that she undertook with the help of biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan.

MacMillan identified critical issues with Sabalenka's serve mechanics, including her left hand position and racket rotation. For three days, they focused on correcting these faults, which has since become a cornerstone of her improved performance.

As Sabalenka continues her campaign at the French Open, her unique good-luck ritual and evolving game strategy are drawing interest from fans and commentators alike. Her path reflects both personal resilience and professional dedication, making her a compelling figure in tennis.

Key Takeaways

• Aryna Sabalenka, No. 2 seed, continues her pre-match ritual of signing her trainer's bald head with a marker pen.
• Sabalenka defeats friend Paula Badosa 7-5, 6-1 to reach French Open's Week 2.
• She has 15 career wins at Roland-Garros and reaches the second week for the second time.
• Sabalenka's evolving game includes slices and drop shots, with 11 drop shot winners in Paris.
• She overcame personal tragedy and rebuilt her serve from scratch to improve her performance.