Aryna Sabalenka has one final chance to win a Grand Slam in 2025.
The Belarusian suffered a hat-trick of crushing three set defeats in each of the previous three majors this season.
Each of those defeats came against American players and now the 27-year-old is at the US Open, where she is the defending champion.
She is one of the favourites to take the title in New York once again, but a former player has noticed something about Sabalenka’s preparation for the US Open.
Rennae Stubbs says Aryna Sabalenka is missing shots by big margins in practice ahead of the US Open
The players have been working hard to fine-tune their games ahead of competing at the US Open.
Some participants have played in the week leading up to the Grand Slams, while others have used it just to practice, and Aryna Sabalenka went with the latter.
‘the world number one was due to play in the US Open mixed doubles event but withdrew because her partner, Grigor Dimitrov, was injured.
As she prepares for the US Open, doubles legend Rennae Stubbs was keeping a close eye on Sabalenka, and she was very surprised by the types of errors she was making.
“I have been watching Aryna Sabalenka practice over the last couple of days,” the Australian said via her Rennae Stubbs podcast.
“Sabalenka in practice the last couple of days, and I watched her indoors, Arthur Ashe stadium, roof closed, no variables. She would have a mid-court forehand and it would be 20 foot long.
“I can’t understand. It’s like she doesn’t feel the ball. And then she can play six points and you’re like where has that come from? Or she will ace you three times in a tiebreak.
“It’s the ups and downs for me with Sabalenka that as a coach my sphincter would be so tight! Because no ball is regular.”
Rennae Stubbs says how far she thinks Aryna Sabalenka will go at the US Open
Sabalenka has reached at least the semifinals of the three Grand Slams played so far this season.
Sabalenka lost to Madison Keys at the Australian Open, before Coco Gauff beat Sabalenka to win the French Open.
Amanda Anisimova’s victory against Sabalenka at Wimbledon prevented her from winning a major away from hard courts for the first time.
Sabalenka desperately wants to win the US Open again, but Stubbs is unsure if she will reach the quarterfinals after watching her train in New York.
“The matches she is losing and the way she is playing over the last couple of weeks. She does not miss by a foot,” Stubbs said.
“She misses in the bottom of the net or in the fence. I have never seen such a great player, her margins for missing are gigantic.
“Serena would miss and it would be just a foot outside the line. And we are talking about the greats but even Iga, sometimes the ball flies, but it is rare.
“I have been watching her the last couple of weeks because I am concerned if she will even get to the quarters the way she is playing and if she does, good luck.”
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
