Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, 6-4, 6-2, in the first round of the French Open.
Last year’s runner-up made a strong start to her French Open campaign, easing past the Spaniard in straight sets.
However, one tennis legend noticed something interesting during Sabalenka’s first-round win.
Can anyone realistically stop Aryna Sabalenka from going ‘all the way’ at Roland Garros this year? 🏆
During TNT Sports’ coverage of Roland Garros, Alex Corretja highlighted the change Sabalenka made to her serve.
Alex Corretja says Aryna Sabalenka has made a ‘very dangerous’ change to her ball toss at Roland Garros
“I was just watching the match, and I felt like she was tossing the ball a bit higher compared to last year,” said Corretja.
“They [Hawkeye] noticed that she is tossing the ball eight centimetres higher compared to last year on the first serves.
“That means 4 metres, 33 centimetres up high, so it’s a huge difference, I guess, especially if it could be windy, that would be a little bit risky for [Aryna] Sabalenka’s second serve, because she could double fault a little bit more, so she needs to pay attention to that, I guess.
“I’m not too sure she realised, maybe, sometimes you do things that you’re not aware of.
“What I feel with Sabalenka, she’s trying to get so much power, and she goes so high up, trying to hit it as hard as she can.
“Maybe today, because it’s not too windy she’s tossing the ball a bit higher, but we will see if it’s windy, what’s going on.
“But it’s something very dangerous, I would say.”
Aryna Sabalenka’s serving stats vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
- Aces – 0
- Double faults – 0
- First serve % – 65%
- Win % on 1st Serve – 68%
- Win % on 2nd Serve – 44%
Former world number one Mats Wilander was also keen to comment on Sabalenka’s ball toss.
“It turns out that Aryna Sabalenka’s first serve ball toss is higher this year by eight centimetres compared to last year. That’s a lot!” he said.
“It’s kind of strange. Normally, players will have a lower ball toss when they get a little older, because it’s better, but she’s actually going higher, so it’s interesting.
“We have to keep an eye on if she’s serving as well now, as she did last year, but so far it looks good, but it’s a change for sure.”
Aryna Sabalenka’s serving stats 2025 French Open (average) vs 2026 French Open 1R
| Stats | 2025 French Open average | 2026 French Open 1R |
| Aces | 4 | 0 |
| Double faults | 3 | 0 |
| 1st Serve % | 64% | 65% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 65% | 68% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 62% | 44% |
The sample size is too small to draw any real conclusions, but as Wilander pointed out, it’s certainly something to keep an eye on…
Mats Wilander identifies a difference between himself and Aryna Sabalenka
Wilander was impressed with Sabalenka’s demeanour, as she delivered a routine win on Court Philippe Chatrier.
“She is so relaxed all the time,” said Wilander.
“She’s not really relaxed when she’s playing in one way, because she’s intense.
“But, she’s having so much fun, and I just love that she’s having so much fun. She’s laughing, smiling. Coming to the net, hitting dropshots, she’s playing the complete game.
“But the fact that she’s loving being number one in the world, to me, is huge, because I did not enjoy it that much; it only lasted for about a week… But I didn’t, I honestly didn’t.
“And a lot of people don’t enjoy it that much because there is a lot of pressure, and she loves it.
“Some of the pros love it, not me!”
Sabalenka has held the number-one ranking for 84 consecutive weeks, taking over from Iga Swiatek in October, 2024.
She sits 11th in the all-time WTA list, with 92 weeks at number one.
WTA weeks at number one (Top 15)
- 1. Steffi Graf – 377
- 2. Martina Navratilova – 332
- 3. Serena Williams – 319
- 4. Chris Evert – 260
- 5. Martina Hingis – 209
- 6. Monica Seles – 178
- 7. Iga Swiatek – 125
- 8. Ashleigh Barty – 121
- 9. Justine Henin – 117
- 10. Lindsay Davenport – 98
- 11. Aryna Sabalenka – 92
- 12. Caroline Wozniacki – 71
- 13. Simona Halep – 64
- 14. Victoria Azarenka – 51
- 15. Amelie Mauresmo – 39
Wilander, on the other hand, was ranked number one for 20 weeks, which places him 18th in the ATP record books.
Keen to extend her stay at the top of the world rankings, Sabalenka will have her eyes on the Roland Garros title.
Next up, Sabalenka will play either Elsa Jacquemot or Linda Fruhvirtova.
