Revealed: Sobolenko's Reasons for Appointing Mirny as Coaching Staff Member
Aryna Sabalenka's Resurgence Under Maxim Mirnyi's Coaching
Aryna Sabalenka, the Belarusian tennis star, has been making waves in the WTA 1000 Tournament in Cincinnati, progressing to the third round following a victorious second-round match against Marketa Vondrousova. This success can be attributed, in part, to the guidance of Maxim Mirnyi, a six-time Grand Slam champion in doubles and the 2012 Olympic gold medallist in mixed doubles with Victoria Azarenka.
Sabalenka's collaboration with Mirnyi began during the U.S. hardcourt series, and the impact of his coaching has been profound. Post-surgery in 2023, Sabalenka faced significant physical and mental challenges returning to top-level tennis. Mirnyi's expertise has been instrumental in helping her adapt her style to be more versatile and efficient.
One of the key areas where Mirnyi's influence has been felt is in Sabalenka's net play. Traditionally a powerful baseline player, Sabalenka has been incorporating more aggressive approaches to the net. Mirnyi has worked on her volleying technique, positioning, and decision-making, enabling her to finish points more efficiently and unpredictably. This tactical diversification has been crucial in shortening points and conserving energy during her physical recovery phase.
Another area where Mirnyi's coaching has made a significant difference is in Sabalenka's serving. Serving is a pivotal part of her game, and Mirnyi focused on refining her serve mechanics for greater consistency and efficiency. After the surgery, regaining full physical prowess on serve was challenging, so Mirnyi helped her optimize her serve motion to reduce strain while maintaining power. This involved improving her toss, rhythm, and placement, resulting in fewer double faults and more free points. The improved serve has helped Sabalenka maintain an offensive edge and control matches better.
The initial results of this collaboration have already been observed, with Sabalenka's victory over Vondrousova in the second round of the Cincinnati tournament marking her second round victory since her collaboration with Mirnyi. Sabalenka considers Mirnyi to be an incredibly intelligent person, and she expressed gladness to see how he enjoys life after what he's been through.
Looking ahead, Sabalenka's next opponent in the third round is Emma Raducanu. This will be their first encounter in a tournament. Sabalenka hopes for a successful collaboration with Mirnyi and believes that their partnership will continue to yield positive results. According to Bet.News, Sabalenka is optimistic about their collaboration.
In the context of Sabalenka's post-surgery recovery, Mirnyi's coaching has been pivotal in evolving her net play and serving — key facets that have strengthened her overall game and resilience on court. This resurgence has been a reversal of their previous encounter at a WTA 500 event and serves as a testament to Sabalenka's determination and the transformative power of coaching.
Following Maxim Mirnyi's coaching, Aryna Sabalenka has been honing her net play, making it more aggressive and efficient, which was a crucial factor in her victorious second-round match against Marketa Vondrousova during the WTA 1000 Tournament in Cincinnati.
In terms of serving, Mirnyi's focus on refining Sabalenka's serve mechanics has led to an increase in consistency and effectiveness, reducing double faults and providing more free points, a significant development that has aided in Sabalenka maintaining an offensive edge on court.
