Men's tennis vs Women's tennis: Corretja gives his verdict on the differences while analyzing Sabalenka-Badosa clash
ATP
Alex Corretja discussed the differences between men’s and women’s tennis while analysing the match between Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open semifinals. The Belarusian secured a 6-4, 6-2 victory over the Spaniard to reach the tournament final.
The former Spanish player highlighted the significant rise in power in women’s tennis, which makes it harder for players to sustain long rallies compared to men, who can maintain extended exchanges due to physical characteristics.
Corretja, a former World No. 2, shared his insights on Badosa’s performance during the semifinal on El Larguero, a sports programme by Cadena SER in Spain. The discussion shifted to the differences between men’s and women’s tennis, noting the unpredictability of women’s tournaments.
“Tennis has become a sport of immense power, and today, many women like Sabalenka, Badosa, and others play with intense physicality,” he said. “Physically, it’s sometimes harder for them to recover certain shots compared to men, who can reach balls that women might not be able to.”
“This makes women’s tennis a bit more unpredictable because, after hitting three or four powerful shots, it’s naturally more difficult for them to recover,” Corretja explained. “But when you watch Djokovic, Nadal, Alcaraz, or Zverev, their physicality allows them to retrieve far more balls.”
“That’s why there’s more rallying in men’s tennis despite the power. Women’s tennis is improving significantly in this regard, but power sometimes overshadows consistency,” the former World No. 2 added. “What Badosa highlighted was, ‘What surprised me about Sabalenka was her power combined with consistency.’ That’s what threw Paula off her game.”
Despite the loss, Badosa can take positives from the tournament, having reached her first Grand Slam semifinal. After contemplating retirement two years ago, Badosa now appears to be at least at the level she showed when she became World No. 2. She looks ready to climb the rankings and contend at major tournaments. Additionally, she has secured her return to the Top 10 after two years.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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