"She has the ability to step up when needed": Kim Clijsters compares Aryna Sabalenka to Serena Williams after US Open triumph

Former world number one Kim Clijsters believes that Belarus’ tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has some traits which maker her similar to legendary Serena Williams. The 26-year-old is already regarded as one of the best players currently playing in women’s tennis in the singles category along with Poland’s Iga Swiatek.

Sabalenka has recently won the US Open for the first time after beating America’s Jessica Pegula in the final in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 7-5. Overall, it was the third Grand Slam in her career and second in 2024. Before that, she won the Australian Open as well after beating China’s Zheng Qinwen in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-2.

Former world number one Clijsters appeared in a podcast with the former men’s world number one Andy Roddick where she claimed that Sabalenka has some traits which makes her similar to legendary tennis star Serena.

“Her strength is her consistency,” she said. “She has the consistency to break someone down mentally as well, and Sabalenka was too strong. {Pegula’s] strength is to try to keep the ball as low over the net and as deep as possible, and she has to have the chance to do that. Against Sabalenka, the first two shots of the rally, the return and the serve, are just too strong, and she beats her to it. Just like Serena, she has the ability to step up when needed."

Serena is regarded as the greatest player in the history of women’s tennis in the singles category in the Open era, having won as many as 23 Grand Slam titles. The 42-year-old retired from the sport in September 2022 to spend more time with her family. Serena finished her career with 73 titles which is the fifth most. She ended up winning four gold medals for her country in Olympics as well where three came in doubles and one was in the singles category.