Martina Hingis suggests how she’d approach playing Aryna Sabalenka, ‘I would try to get into her head’

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Aryna Sabalenka is the world number one and for good reason.

The Belarusian has proven herself to be the best player on the WTA Tour.

She is, however, far from invincible.

Sabalenka’s mental strength has been questioned at times, especially after her three-set Grand Slam final defeats to Madison Keys, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina.

Appearing as a guest on the latest episode of the ‘Love All‘ podcast, tennis legend Martina Hingis suggested she would use that against Sabalenka if they played.

Martina Hingis would try to get into Aryna Sabalenka’s head and give her a different ball every time

“Honestly, if I would play [Aryna] Sabalenka, I would try to get into her head. I think that’s my thing,” said Hingis.

“I don’t know, to get as many balls back as possible.

“We’ve seen that in the past, like Ons Jabeur was able to do that at Wimbledon.

• 2023 Wimbledon SF – Ons Jabeur defeated Aryna Sabalenka, 6-7, 6-4, 6-3

“Some other players were able to turn around matches, [Karolina] Muchova at the French Open in the semifinals.

• 2023 French Open SF – Karolina Muchova defeated Aryna Sabalenka, 7-6, 6-7, 7-5

“You shouldn’t give up until the last point is played against a player like that, and try to take that momentum, really, every ball.”

Hingis remembered having the same approach when she took on Venus and Serena Williams.

“That was the same type of thing when I had to play Venus or Serena,” she said.

“Every ball on the other side was a good ball. No matter how you played it. Just try to give her a different ball every single shot.

“Of course, her [Sabalenka’s] serve is big, but anything to try and make her move and see a different ball every time.”

Aryna Sabalenka is now the — best women’s player of all time

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Sabalenka wears her heart on her sleeve out on court.

While that often works in her favor, on occasion, players take control of the match when she gets emotional.

Sabalenka is 4-4 in Grand Slam finals and was visibly frustrated in all four defeats.

Aryna Sabalenka’s record in Grand Slam finals

The 27-year-old lost her cool during the French Open final last year, as Gauff fought back to win the title in three sets, coping better in the windy conditions.

Unable to compose herself after the match, Sabalenka made comments to the media that she later apologised for.

It’s that mental fragility that Hingis believes she, too, could take advantage of.

Aryna Sabalenka would have won more Grand Slams than Martina Hingis if she had a better mentality

It’s fair to say that right now, Hingis is a more successful player than Sabalenka.

Aryna Sabalenka’s career achievements

• Grand Slams – 4
• WTA 1000s – 9
• WTA Finals – 0
• WTA Titles – 22
• Weeks at number one – 80
• Top-10 wins – 56

Martina Hingis’ career achievements

• Grand Slams – 5
• WTA 1000s – 17
• WTA Finals – 2
• WTA Titles – 43
• Weeks at number one – 209

Hingis has five Grand Slams, to Sabalenka’s four.

Had Sabalenka kept on top of her emotions in just one of her four major final defeats, she’d be level with Hingis.

At 27, the chances are Sabalenka will continue to add to her tally and may well surpass Hingis, at least in Grand Slam wins.

But there are no guarantees in tennis.

After all, Hingis probably wouldn’t have expected to win her fifth and final Grand Slam at 18.

Sabalenka will have her next shot at Grand Slam glory when the French Open begins in May.

For now, she’ll set her sights on Indian Wells, an event Hingis won in 1998.

Receiving a BYE into the second round, Sabalenka will play Japan’s Himeno Sakatsume on Friday, March 6.