“Very little room to improve”: Max Mirnyi opens up on coaching world No.1 Sabalenka

Max Mirnyi says coaching Aryna Sabalenka requires a careful balance between improvement and stability, describing the task of working with the world No.1 as both rewarding and delicate. The former doubles world No.1 joined Sabalenka’s coaching team shortly after Wimbledon in 2025 and has since played a role in expanding the Belarusian’s tactical options, particularly around her movement to the net and the occasional serve-and-volley pattern.

Speaking during Indian Wells with Tennis Now, Mirnyi emphasised that coaching a player already at the top of the rankings leaves little margin for error. Sabalenka has built her success around one of the most aggressive baseline games on the WTA Tour, meaning any adjustments must complement strengths that have already brought major titles and consistent results at the sport’s biggest events.

Sabalenka arrives in California after beginning the 2026 season with another deep run at a Grand Slam. The Belarusian reached the Australian Open final in Melbourne before stepping away from competition during the Middle East swing, skipping events in Doha and Dubai. Her return to competition comes this week in Indian Wells, where she is scheduled to open against Japan’s Himeno Sakatsume.

For Mirnyi, the focus is not on reinventing Sabalenka’s game but rather on adding new layers that can help sustain her position at the top of the rankings. The former Olympic champion believes the key lies in giving the Belarusian additional tactical options without disrupting the foundations that have already made her one of the dominant players of her generation.

Mirnyi says one of the biggest misconceptions about coaching a top-ranked player is the assumption that the job becomes easier once a player reaches No.1. In reality, he argues, success can make change more complicated because the player’s existing formula has already proven effective.

“Well, it’s been going really well due to the fact she’s been very receptive and open to advance, to learn and to enhance her playing style. Some may say it’s easy to coach the world No.1 player. Sure, to a degree, but at the same time there’s very little room that she can improve. Because she’s already so good—the best in the world yes. There’s actually much more downside because any little thing can derail the train.”

Mirnyi explained that his role often centres on identifying moments when subtle adjustments can be introduced without disrupting Sabalenka’s rhythm or confidence. In particular, the Belarusian has worked with him on becoming more comfortable moving forward in rallies and using the net as a finishing position.

“My main goal is to facilitate and to give more options to Aryna to work with on the court,” Mirnyi said. He added that the process requires careful timing, noting he must remain selective about “what I say, where I say, when I say and how I say it.”

Beyond tactics, Mirnyi believes one of the most demanding aspects of Sabalenka’s position is the constant pressure that accompanies life as the top-ranked player on tour. With media obligations, sponsorship commitments and the expectations that come with defending titles, the Belarusian operates in an environment where scrutiny rarely fades.

“She’s dealing with a lot of demands physically and psychologically. She’s combating pressure non stop because she’s No.1 and everyone wants a piece of you. On the court as an opponent and in the world of media and sponsors, she’s devoting a lot of her time and energy to everyone. And that’s a very difficult situation to be in.”

Mirnyi says his own experience during a 25-year professional career helps him understand those pressures. The Belarusian played 98 ATP doubles finals and won 52 titles, including multiple Grand Slam trophies, while also competing extensively in singles during the early years of his career.

Sabalenka and Mirnyi had already shared a connection before their coaching partnership began. The two Belarusians teamed up in doubles at the 2019 Brisbane International, offering an early glimpse of a professional relationship that would later evolve into a coaching collaboration several years later.

“My career lasted 25 years and with the help of people around me I was fortunate enough to never have had a withdrawal or to never have had pulling out of a tournament. I was very disciplined and thorough about my lifestyle and priorities and I hope that I can relay that message and lead by example for Aryna.”

Sabalenka’s consistency at the sport’s biggest events has made her one of the defining players of the current WTA era. Since 2023 she has captured multiple Grand Slam titles and established herself as a regular presence in the latter stages of majors, including her run to the Australian Open final earlier this year.

Mirnyi believes sustaining that level across many seasons remains the true measure of greatness. He points to the extended dominance of figures such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams as examples of how rare long-term success can be.

“You have very little window in sports in general, in tennis in particular because it’s a never-ending cycle. We start in January, we compete until December, pretty much every week. Every week, it’s impossible to be at the peak of your performance for that long.”

“Having said that, those that make it last longer are usually the greatest of all time. The Federers, the Nadals, the Djokovics, the Serenas, the Venus’. Steffi Graf. I wish for Aryna to be one of those athletes and she certainly has the capability.”

As Sabalenka begins her campaign at Indian Wells, Mirnyi says his objective remains simple: support the world No.1 in navigating the demands of the tour while continuing to refine the details of a game already built for success at the highest level.