“She’s a spitfire”: Serena Williams explains why Aryna Sabalenka reminds her of herself

Saturday, 25 July 2026 at 04:30

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Serena Williams has always been known for her intensity on the tennis court, and now the 23-time Grand Slam champion believes she sees a similar fire in Aryna Sabalenka. The American legend recently praised the world No. 1, explaining that the Belarusian’s emotions, competitive spirit and ability to show her frustration during matches remind her of her own personality during her dominant years.

Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion at 28 years old, has built much of her identity around her aggressive style and emotional presence on court. Whether celebrating a huge point with a trademark roar or showing frustration after a missed opportunity, the Belarusian has never hidden her emotions during the biggest moments.

For Williams, that mentality is something she deeply appreciates. Speaking during a recent appearance at Fanatics Fest in Manhattan, the former world No. 1 admitted that Sabalenka’s intensity is one of the reasons she enjoys watching her compete.

“Sabalenka is No. 1 and she’s such a spitfire, you know, and she really gives her all when she’s out there. I see myself in that, and so I love that. I love that about her,” Williams said. “And when she’s losing, she’s mad. I wasn’t allowed to express my anger, but I love how she’s allowed to express her anger. I love it.”

Serena Williams sees her own competitive fire in Sabalenka

The comparison between Williams and Sabalenka is not difficult to understand. Both players have built their careers around extraordinary intensity, powerful tennis and an ability to raise their level under pressure.

However, Williams believes the tennis environment has changed. During her own career, the American often felt pressure to control her emotions and present a calmer image, while Sabalenka has been able to embrace her personality more openly.

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The Belarusian’s emotional style has become part of her identity rather than something she needs to hide. Even during difficult moments, Sabalenka has continued to rely on her passion as a source of energy, helping her become one of the most dominant players of her generation.

After ending her Grand Slam drought at the 2023 Australian Open, Sabalenka has continued building her legacy, adding major titles at the US Open and Australian Open while establishing herself as the current leader of the WTA rankings.

RARE video of Serena Williams praising Aryna Sabalenka 👀👀👀👀 " she's such a speed fire, she really gives her all when she's out there like that, I really see myself in that and I LOVE that about her" " and when she's losing she's mad, I wasn't allowed to Express my anger" pic.twitter.com/5E1uiVW0kj
— Livie 🐯🎾 (@Livieparis2024) July 23, 2026

Williams shares hilarious Venus Williams story

Williams also looked back on another defining part of her career: the rivalry and bond she shared with her sister Venus Williams. The 23-time Grand Slam champion explained that competing against Venus taught her valuable lessons about pressure, professionalism and what it meant to become a better champion.

Serena recalled one memorable Wimbledon moment when she faced Venus in the singles final before the pair had to team up for the doubles final the following day. The younger Williams admitted she was still frustrated after their battle on Centre Court, but Venus had no idea.

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“It was so funny. And then we have to play a doubles final after and I was so mad. I wasn’t speaking on the floor,” Williams said. “She’s so not connected, she didn’t even know I was mad at her. I found out years later she didn’t even know I was mad at her.”

Despite their legendary rivalry, Serena emphasized how much Venus influenced her career and helped shape her mentality as a champion. “She’s always such a great sport, she’s such a great champion and she really taught me how to be a better champion and how to just always show up every single day,” Williams added.

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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